Kenyan officers deployed to Haiti under the Multinational Security Support mission have raised grave concerns over their working conditions, citing poor leadership, mismanagement, financial hardships, and operational risks that have left them struggling to execute their mandate effectively.
The grievances now being raised come in the wake of the latest fatality reported on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, when Police Corporal Benedict Kabiru Kuria was killed in an ambush by gangs in the Lower Artibonite region, approximately 92 kilometres north of Port-au-Prince. A Kenyan officer deployed to Haiti is seen braiding hair inside the mission camp, a reflection of the growing discontent among security personnel over the handling of their deployment. Officers have raised concerns about mismanagement, poor leadership, and non-operational assignments that have left some engaged in non-essential tasks while others struggle under harsh conditions.
The incident happened when three armoured vehicles got stuck in a ditch, which is believed to have been intentionally created by gangs as a trap for security forces.
Kabiru, who had served in the Border Patrol Unit for nine years before joining the Haiti mission, was part of a team attempting to rescue Haitian counterparts whose vehicle had also been trapped.
The gangs took his body, and efforts to recover it are still ongoing with specialized teams deployed for the operation.
This marks the second death of a Kenyan officer in Haiti following the killing of Police Constable Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai on February 23, 2025.
He was fatally shot during an anti-gang operation in the same region.
The deaths have heightened concerns over the safety of Kenyan personnel, particularly as reports emerge about logistical failures and inadequate resources that may be putting them at greater risk.
These grievances paint a picture of a mission that is being undermined by internal failures, with officers increasingly questioning whether their role in stabilizing the country is being taken seriously by those in command.
Since their arrival in Haiti, officers say they have experienced frustrations that have progressively worsened due to what they describe as negligence from senior commanders.
They claim that their welfare has not been prioritized, and instead of receiving support, they have been subjected to unnecessary challenges that have made their work more difficult.
There are growing concerns that some officers are being favoured over others when it comes to duty assignments, with allegations that personal connections rather than standard operational procedures determine who is deployed for missions.
This has led to a situation where some officers remain underutilized while others take on difficult tasks under harsh conditions without proper support. Welfare Struggles A particularly distressing issue is the treatment of officers stationed at a base in Pont-Sonde, where they have been subjected to extreme hardships.
Reports from those deployed in the area indicate that they have been forced to survive on a single meal per day and lack proper bedding, making their stay uncomfortable and physically draining.
Some have questioned why such conditions exist, given that resources were allocated for their deployment.
The officers argue that such neglect directly affects their ability to carry out security operations effectively, as they are often too exhausted to function optimally.
Financial hardships have further worsened the situation, with officers decrying delays in their monthly salaries and allowances.
Reports indicate that they have not received their allowances since January, leaving many in a precarious financial situation.
Some officers have lamented that they have families back home who depend on them, yet they have been unable to send money due to these delays.
The absence of clear communication from authorities on when the payments will be processed has deepened frustrations, with officers expressing fears that they might be stranded in Haiti with no financial support if the issue persists. Faulty Armour Transport challenges have also emerged, with officers alleging that they have been provided with armoured vehicles that do not offer adequate protection.
They claim that these vehicles have been compromised to the extent that bullets can penetrate them, yet despite raising the issue, they have been forced to continue using them.
This has created anxiety among officers who feel that their safety is not being taken seriously.
Given that they are operating in a high-risk environment, they believe that their concerns should have been addressed immediately, but their complaints have reportedly been dismissed by their superiors. Leadership Wrangles Beyond the operational challenges, officers have also raised concerns about the unprofessional conduct of some of their commanders, whom they accuse of using mission resources for personal errands.
Reports indicate that while rank-and-file officers are enduring harsh conditions, some senior officials have been engaging in non-essential activities that do not contribute to the mission's objectives.
This has had a demoralizing effect, as officers who expected to be part of a serious security intervention are now witnessing behaviours that suggest a lack of commitment from those in charge.
One of the incidents that has triggered outrage among the officers is the use of mission personnel and resources for personal grooming activities.
Reports have emerged of senior officers having their hair done within the mission camp, with enlisted personnel being assigned such tasks instead of engaging in security operations.
Some officers have expressed disbelief that such activities are happening in the middle of a critical deployment, arguing that it reflects misplaced priorities and a lack of seriousness in executing the mission. "Hi Nyakundi. I hope you are doing well. I am one of the soldiers currently in Haiti. We are facing many challenges as soldiers. Please speak up for us. Poor leadership. If possible, they should be replaced completely because officers are suffering due to the negligence of senior commanders. Not all officers are going for normal duties. It depends on who you know. Officers have been deployed to another base in Pont-Sonde where they take one meal a day and have no bedding. Delays in monthly allowances and salaries. We have not been paid our allowances since January. Poor means of transport. We have armoured vehicles that bullets can penetrate, but when we complain, our bosses still force us to use them. Some senior officers bring their children to the camp to have their hair done and water bottles arranged in their offices. They do not go to work, and this is demoralizing for the officers. We are capable of helping Haiti, but because of these issues, we feel we are doing nothing. Please take action before things get out of hand. The first and second Kenyan contingents worked effectively, demonstrating unity and making progress in the mission. However, since the arrival of the third and fourth contingents, a disturbing trend of fatalities has emerged. It has come to our attention that a considerable number of officers within the third and fourth contingents are relatives of prominent leaders in the country. These individuals were deployed, presumably, after the threat of gang activity had been significantly reduced by the efforts of the first and second contingents. To our dismay, nearly half of this group has refused to perform their assigned duties. Instead, they engage in trivial tasks such as organizing water bottles in the base's storage, switching lights on and off, and even providing hair and nail services to female members of other contingents and support staff. Others are acting as gym instructors and event organizers. Many of us believe that the new contingents have brought a negative influence to the mission. Recently, we have experienced confrontations with some of them for neglecting their responsibilities. Tensions escalated to the point where we forcibly removed some individuals from the sleeping quarters. In conclusion, a significant number of personnel from the first and second contingents have requested repatriation, wishing to leave the mission in the hands of the new arrivals. We came with a genuine desire to assist the Haitian people, committed to giving our utmost. However, morale has plummeted, and we no longer have the motivation to continue this work," one source revealed to us under the request of anonymity. For officers who left Kenya with the expectation of playing a role in stabilizing Haiti, these reports have only served to deepen their frustrations and diminish morale.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that these grievances are emerging in the wake of mounting casualties within the Kenyan contingent.
The deaths of two officers within a short period have intensified scrutiny on the conditions under which they are operating and whether adequate measures were taken to safeguard their welfare before deployment. With officers struggling under severe logistical and leadership failures, many are questioning whether their presence in Haiti is serving its intended purpose.
Some suggest that a complete overhaul of the mission's leadership is necessary to restore order and ensure officers receive proper support.
Others have called for immediate intervention from Nairobi, warning that Kenya’s contribution to the mission is at risk due to internal failures that could have been avoided with better planning.
While committed to their duty, officers say they feel abandoned by those overseeing the mission.
Instead of focusing on stabilizing Haiti, they have been forced to navigate internal obstacles that make their work increasingly difficult.
For those at remote bases, the situation is even more dire, with reports of deteriorating living conditions and prolonged uncertainty over financial entitlements.
Many expected challenges in a volatile environment but did not anticipate their biggest struggles would come from within their own command.
Some argue that unless urgent action is taken, the mission will fail due to internal failures rather than external threats.