More Kenyan police arrive in Haiti with UN-backed mission to fight violent gangs

Port Au Prince, Haiti: Another 200 police officers from Kenya arrived on Tuesday in Haiti for a UN backed mission led by the East African country to b...

Port-Au-Prince, Haiti: Another 200 police officers from Kenya arrived on Tuesday in Haiti for a UN-backed mission led by the East African country to battle violent gangs that have taken over parts of the troubled Caribbean country.

The officers arrived nearly a month after the first contingent of 200 landed in the capital of Port-au-Prince, where gangs control at least 80% of the city.

Last week the United Nations Security Council strongly condemned "the extreme levels of armed violence” in Haiti that are undermining security in the country and the region.

Authorities have declined to provide details on the Kenyans’ assignments, citing security concerns. Associated Press journalists have seen them on patrol in areas near the main international airport, which reopened in May after a surge in gang violence forced it to close for nearly three months.

"We are happy to work side-by-side with the Kenyans,” Normil Rameau, the new chief of Haiti's National Police, said shortly after they arrived. "In the name of the government, we give them a warm welcome.”