Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has called on police officers returning from duty in Haiti to prioritise disciplined, long-term investments and avoid habits that could undermine their financial stability.
Murkomen delivered the advice on Wednesday, December 10, at the National Police College in Embakasi A Campus, where he received 230 officers returning from the Multinational Security Support Mission—now operating under the expanded Gang Suppression Force (GSF) mandate.
The officers, who first travelled to Haiti in June 2024 during the tenure of then–Interior CS Kithure Kindiki, were celebrated for their professionalism and resilience.
Murkomen praised their discipline, integrity, and respect for the dignity of the Haitian people, describing these qualities as a testament to their training and character.
During the ceremony, the government also honoured three Kenyan officers who died in the line of duty, offering condolences to their families and assuring them of continued support.
Their return coincided with the departure of another group of 230 officers drawn from various National Police Service units, who left Kenya a day earlier to reinforce the GSF contingent already on the ground.
President William Ruto has maintained that Kenya will not exit Haiti in a disorderly manner despite the transition from the UN-backed Multinational Security Support mission to the more robust Gang Suppression Force.
As of December 2025, Kenya has 744 officers deployed in Haiti against a total pledge of 1,000, forming the backbone of a mission expected to grow from 2,500 to potentially 5,500 personnel as the GSF expands.
In his address, Murkomen urged the returning officers to resist the temptation to engage in betting, impulsive spending, or taking second wives—warning that such decisions could quickly erode their hard-earned income.
Murkomen advised those facing pressure, whether from debts or family needs, to seek guidance before committing their money to harmful habits. He further reminded them that their service in Haiti had earned them not only respect but also responsibility.
Murkomen encouraged the officers to channel a portion of their earnings into meaningful ventures that would benefit them and their families for years to come. He cautioned that the sense of pride associated with returning home as heroes could create risky impulses.
“You went to fight and came back. You are a hero, and being a hero comes with power. You must control that power,” he said, urging them to invest in projects they would be proud to recount as part of their experience in Haiti.
The Haiti mission has not been without challenges.
One Kenyan officer, Benedict Kabiru, has so far been confirmed dead, and others have suffered injuries in clashes with heavily armed gangs.
Some officers have also raised concerns about delayed allowances and the quality of protective gear supplied. Human rights organisations have additionally questioned whether Kenya’s deployment is appropriate given longstanding concerns about police conduct domestically.
Despite these challenges, Kenya continues to play a leading role in stabilising Haiti under the GSF banner.
The latest deployment includes 24 women officers, reflecting ongoing efforts to strengthen gender representation in international policing missions. With the initial one-year deployment period now extended and the mission’s scope expanding, Kenya remains a central actor in the multinational effort to restore order in the Caribbean nation.
