Kenya's Haiti Police Force Returns Home, Praised for "Stabilizing" Gang Crisis

Kenya's Interior Minister has praised the first group of police officers to return from a mission in Haiti. The 230 officers completed an 18-month tour as part of a now-ended international security force. The officers served in the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS). This mission aimed to help Haiti's police fight powerful armed gangs. The gangs control much of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and have caused widespread violence. Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said the officers played a key role in "stabilizing" the situation. He welcomed them back to Kenya at a ceremony in Nairobi. The United Nations-backed mission began in June. Kenya led the force, which included officers from several countries. The mission officially ended this week. A smaller transitional security plan is now being discussed for Haiti. More Kenyan officers who served in Haiti are expected to return home soon.