Operation to Reclaim Télcos Station

Kenyan police officers under the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS), in collaboration with the Haitian National Police (PNH), carried out a decisive overnight raid on Monday, August 25, 2025. The operation successfully recaptured the Télcos Station, which had been under gang control.

Intense Exchange and Gang Losses

The three-hour exchange between 1am and 4am resulted in heavy losses for the gangs led by the notorious “Izo2.” Security units moved door-to-door, neutralising armed resistance. Several suspects were apprehended, and a significant cache of weapons was seized.

Restoration of Security and Safe Passage

Apart from reclaiming the Télcos base, MSS and PNH forces dismantled roadblocks set up by gangs along routes leading to Télcos and Kenscoff. The clearance restored safe passage for residents who had endured insecurity and disrupted movement for weeks.

Firm Warning from MSS and PNH Leaders

PNH Director General Vladimir Paraison and MSS Force Commander Godfrey Otunge declared that the crackdown on gangs will continue. They warned that the era of impunity is over, with more targeted operations planned to dismantle networks in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas.

Kenya’s Role in the Haiti Mission

Kenya volunteered to lead the MSS following a United Nations resolution in 2023 that called for international intervention to stabilise Haiti amid spiraling gang violence. The East African nation pledged nearly 1,000 police officers with specialised training in counter-insurgency and urban security.

Kenya was chosen due to its track record in peacekeeping operations across Africa, including Somalia, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Its police service was considered well-prepared for urban operations where armed groups challenge state authority.

Future of the MSS Mission in Haiti

While Kenyan forces have been pivotal in restoring order in several regions of Haiti, the mission faces new challenges. The United States is pushing to double the size of the foreign force and considering shifting overall command from Kenya to another country, sparking diplomatic discussions on the future leadership of the MSS.