230 Kenyan Officers Back From Haiti to Feature in Jamhuri Day Parade

Kenya’s police service will honour its first contingent of officers returning from Haiti during the Jamhuri Day parade on Friday, recognising their service abroad and reintegrating them into national life.

The 230 officers, who completed an 18‑month deployment under the Multinational Security Support Mission, arrived back in Nairobi on Tuesday. Their homecoming coincided with the arrival of a new contingent, which has assumed operational duties in Haiti.

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja confirmed that the officers would be featured in the ceremonial march, acknowledging their resilience and professionalism during the challenging mission. The officers were formally received at Embakasi A Campus, where a reception was held to celebrate their contributions. 

The event was attended by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, National Security Advisor Monica Juma, and other senior officials.

During the reception, Kanja praised the officers for their discipline and commitment to human rights despite the difficult conditions in Haiti. 

He also highlighted the mission’s humanitarian impact, emphasising the role of Kenyan officers in protecting civilians amid widespread gang violence. The deployment provided valuable experience for Kenyan officers, which Kanja believes will strengthen domestic policing efforts, particularly in dealing with complex security challenges. 

The officers’ return marks a key milestone in Kenya’s growing role in international peacekeeping and security missions. After the national celebrations, the officers will be granted leave to reunite with their families. 

Kanja also assured them that their pending allowances would be paid once funds are released by the United Nations.