Kenyan police officers who served in the United Nations mission in Haiti returned home on Wednesday, receiving recognition from Inspector General (IG) Douglas Kanja for their service.
The IG emphasized that the officers’ work abroad not only supported international peacekeeping but also enhanced the capacity of the National Police Service.
Addressing the returning team, IG Kanja assured them that their November allowances would be disbursed once the UN released the funds. He acknowledged the concerns raised by officers over delayed payments and called for patience while the administrative process is completed.
“There is no need to worry—we are handling everything,” Kanja said, urging officers to focus on long-term financial planning.
The IG cautioned the officers about safeguarding their earnings, highlighting that individuals might seek personal advantage from their allowances.
He encouraged prudent investments to secure their well-being and future, signaling the importance of financial literacy for public officers returning from high-profile assignments.
Kanja also underlined the broader professional benefits of the Haiti mission, noting that the experience gained abroad would contribute to strengthening Kenya’s policing framework.
Many of the returning officers are expected to participate in after-action review committees, which will inform the development of improved training modules for officers at all levels.
The Haiti mission tasked Kenyan officers with protecting civilians and supporting peacekeeping operations in challenging environments.
IG Kanja praised their commitment to upholding human rights during the deployment, emphasizing that protecting freedom is a central duty of law enforcement.
This deployment comes amid Kenya’s ongoing efforts to modernize and professionalize its police service, following reforms introduced under successive administrations to improve accountability, training, and operational effectiveness.
By integrating lessons from international assignments, the National Police Service aims to enhance preparedness for both domestic and international operations.
The IG concluded by reaffirming pride in the officers’ professionalism and contributions, highlighting that future missions would continue to provide exposure and growth opportunities for Kenya’s law enforcement personnel