A contingent of Kenyan police officers is set to embark on a contentious mission in Haiti aimed at curbing the spread and influence of powerful gangs that have brought chaos and violence to the Caribbean nation.

On Monday, Kenyan President William Ruto held a ceremony to bid farewell to 400 officers who are expected to arrive in Haiti later this week as part of a United Nations-backed effort, marking the first batch of the 1,000 officers Kenya plans to deploy.

“This mission is among the most urgent, significant, and historic in the history of global solidarity,” Ruto said, as quoted by his office.

“It is a mission to uphold the universal values of the global community, a mission to stand up for humanity.”

Kenya has strong credentials in peace-making and global conflict resolution. Our police force's presence in Haiti will offer relief to the men, women, and children whose lives have been disrupted by gang violence. We will collaborate with the international community to bring enduring peace… pic.twitter.com/Org9RWzViV

— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) June 24, 2024

Both Ruto and the United States have endorsed the initiative following months of discussions on how to deal with the escalating violence in Haiti, where gangs have increased their hold, dominated large areas, and caused significant instability affecting civilians.

“We anticipate further noticeable improvements in security, especially regarding access to humanitarian aid and vital economic activities,” US Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters on Monday.

Nations such as the US and Canada have advocated for an international police deployment but have been reluctant to commit their forces to the effort. A UN official stated in March that at least 5,000 foreign police officers are needed to address gang violence in Haiti, far exceeding the 1,000 Kenyan officers planned for deployment.

The Biden administration recently pledged $300m in assistance during Ruto's visit to the US but indicated that deploying US troops could lead to "various questions that could be easily misconstrued".

The legacy of unsuccessful foreign interventions in Haiti, the first nation to gain independence through a slave rebellion in 1804, raises concerns that this mission might exacerbate instability.

The US occupation of Haiti from 1915-1934 saw the implementation of forced labor and widespread human rights abuses.