Jessica Perez-Salinas, Staff Writer

Among the countries that have led global efforts to combat the growing crisis in Haiti is a country that lies 8,800 miles away. Kenya, a growing nation in Africa, has taken a leading role in managing the security crisis in a country that has been overtaken by gangs and faces many underlying challenges. 

Haiti is a small nation on the island of Hispaniola and borders the Dominican Republic. In 1804, Haiti became the first colony to become independent after a lengthy and brutal war against France. Despite being rich in natural resources and having a vibrant culture, Haiti faced many troubles as a new nation. Western nations refused to recognize Haiti as a sovereign nation, halting trade, which led to a staggering debt owed to France that they were not able to pay off until 1947. In the 20^th Century, Dominican-Haiti relations became tense under the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo, in which thousands of Haitian immigrants were mass murdered or imprisoned in what became known as the Parsley Massacre. In addition, Haiti has continued to face several setbacks that have halted economic development in the country. In 2010, the Caribbean was hit by a high-magnitude earthquake that devastated Haiti. Over a million people were displaced, infrastructure was destroyed and it led to a major humanitarian crisis. 

In 2017, Jovenel Moise was sworn into office as the next president following the 2016 Presidential elections. The win followed with the emergence of protesters who argued that the election should be annulled because of low voter turnout and claims of voter fraud. By 2018, protests were firing up and opposition leaders were calling for a coup d’etat. These protests were not only motivated by opposition to the president, but also widespread political corruption, rising economic costs and lack of resources. Things became increasingly turbulent when Moise was assassinated in 2021 and by 2022, leading to a complete breakdown. At the same time, gangs began to seize major ports around the country, including the capital of Port-au-Prince, effectively blocking any economic activity. The gangs have been responsible for many severe human rights violations against women and children, while also opposing foreign intervention in the area. The gangs have also been tied with many politicians and police officials, which has only further embedded mistrust of the government. Since then, establishing national security and a legitimate government have been two of the biggest priorities and challenges for Haiti.

In 2020, Kenya gained a seat at the United Nations Security Council as a non-permanent member. As part of this council, they decided to lead a peacekeeping mission in Haiti, a country that they felt they had a historical tie to. The Multinational Security Mission (MSS) in Haiti has focused on securing the capital and controlling gang activity in the area. As of February 2025, Kenya sent around 700 peacekeepers to help combat gang violence in Haiti. These peacekeepers are tasked with training the Haitian National Police, guarding schools and residential areas and helping restore peace in gang-controlled areas. They have successfully helped transition children into going back into school and secured many parts of the capital. However, Kenya has not been able to send all the forces necessary due to lack of funding. 

By 2026, Kenya hopes to establish a network for free and fair presidential elections to be held and thus start the process towards democratization. Still, the crisis in Haiti requires international cooperation and Kenya can only do so much. Among other nations providing aid are Guatemala, El Salvador, Canada and the United States. Peacekeeping efforts by Kenya will conclude within the next year. However, many fear that it will not be enough time to reverse the intense damage the country has faced. The crisis in Haiti has become increasingly dire, but countries such as Kenya are standing up and helping to establish control in the region.