The Gang Suppression Force (GSF) has dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that Kenyan police officers were killed during a recent operation.
In an update on Monday, October 20, the GSF noted that no Kenyan officer has been harmed in the course of the operation, countering viral social media claims alleging fatalities.
"Contrary to some misleading reports circulating on social media, no Kenyan officer was killed during the operation," the statement read.
GSF added that it has been working closely with the Haitian National Police (PNH) and the Haitian Armed Forces (FAD’H) to secure key areas in the troubled region.
"Over the past week, the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), in collaboration with the Haitian National Police (PNH) and the Haitian Armed Forces (FAD’H), conducted several targeted operations and focused patrols in the Artibonite Department to clear the Petite-Rivière–Liancourt–Pont Sondé route.
Read More
"GSF also facilitated transportation of PNH officers and their stores /supplies to St. Marc to ensure enhanced security in the area," the statement added.
According to the force, the mission successfully restored order along a key stretch of the road network that had been under gang control.
The joint units reportedly faced resistance as they advanced toward the final stages of the operation but managed to neutralize the threats without sustaining any losses.
"The team successfully removed multiple barricades along the main road. Toward the final stretch, gang members attempted to reinforce their defenses by digging trenches and occupying tall buildings along both sides of the road, from which they launched Molotov cocktails.
"Their efforts were swiftly neutralized by joint GSF and PNH specialized units that included BIM and UTAG units," the statement further read.
Elsewhere, this comes a month after President William Ruto announced that Kenya will not pull out its police officers from Haiti without a clear plan for a new mission to take over.
Speaking on Thursday, September 25, during an interview on France 24, Ruto said the Kenyan troops will leave Haiti once the new force to take over from the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM) has been formed.
"Our best position is that we have completed our mission; we were asked to step in, but one thing Kenya will not do is to walk away from Haiti without clarity on a transition.
"We will be there to make sure that the next mission is properly formed; it’s not yet clear when it will be formed, or how it will be resourced. There are so many things that are still hanging," he said.
Ruto also said the MSSM forces have managed to stabilize Haiti since their deployment in June 2024.
"When we went to Haiti, both the air and sea ports had been overrun by gangs. Today, they are operational. Schools and hospitals had also been overrun; today, they are operating. The palace was under siege from gangs; today, that is where the Presidential Council and Prime Minister sit," he added.
-1749882328.jpg)