Kenyan officers deployed in Haiti under the UN-backed Multinational Security Support mission continue to endure worsening conditions, with new revelations indicating that some are now sleeping on bare floors in unhygienic environments while struggling to access basic necessities.
Disturbing images and videos shared by an anonymous source reveal officers sleeping on bare floors in unhygienic environments, with little access to basic necessities. In some cases, officers are forced to make do with makeshift sleeping arrangements on thin mattresses, surrounded by their scattered belongings in cramped spaces.
“Hi Nyakundi. Kindly Hide my ID. The situation in Haiti is not conducive for Kenyan police officers, as the mission standard should be that those on forward operation bases go to work even without a meal. There is very poor hygiene, and they are even sleeping on the floor. Let me share some photos.”
This latest development adds to an already growing list of grievances raised by the officers, including poor leadership, mismanagement, delayed salaries, unsafe conditions, and inadequate resources.
Many of these issues have left them struggling to execute their mandate effectively.
The dismal situation has been further aggravated by logistical failures, with officers in some areas forced to survive on a single meal a day and lacking proper bedding.
These distressing revelations follow the tragic deaths of two Kenyan officers in recent weeks, namely Police Constable Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai, who was fatally shot during an anti-gang operation on February 23, 2025, and Police Corporal Benedict Kabiru Kuria, who was killed in an ambush by gangs in the Lower Artibonite region on March 25, 2025
The deaths have intensified concerns over the safety of the Kenyan personnel, as officers report inadequate protective gear and faulty armoured vehicles, which they claim have been compromised to the point that bullets can penetrate them.
Despite raising these concerns, officers have been reportedly forced to continue using these vehicles.
Reports from the mission also indicate a growing frustration over leadership failures.
Officers have raised concerns about senior commanders using mission resources for personal errands, including grooming activities like hair braiding, while rank-and-file officers endure harsh conditions and operational risks.
The use of mission personnel for non-essential tasks has further demoralized the officers, who are increasingly questioning whether their deployment was properly planned and if their welfare is being taken seriously.
The financial struggles faced by the officers are also a major issue, with reports indicating that many have not received their monthly salaries and allowances since January 2025.
This delay has left officers in a precarious financial situation, unable to send money back home to their families, further compounding their frustrations.
In addition to these welfare struggles, there are growing concerns over favoritism in the assignment of duties, with some officers being given non-operational tasks while others are left to take on difficult missions under dangerous conditions.
This has led to allegations of personal connections influencing duty assignments, further eroding morale among the officers.
This unfolding situation in Haiti paints a troubling picture of mismanagement, neglect, and leadership failures, leaving many officers questioning the viability of the mission and whether the Kenyan government has adequately prepared its personnel for the challenges they are facing on the ground.
