Kenya-Led MSS Forces Crush Haiti Gangs in Daring Ambush to Reclaim Vital Rice Stores

In a decisive show of force, the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, working hand in hand with Haitian police, scored a major victory against armed gangs in Haiti  this weekTuesday, August 19.

The operation, carried out in the Dofunor area, nearly 200 kilometers north of Port-au-Prince, restored security to rice farmers who had endured days of intimidation and hardship at the hands of criminal groups.

Acting on a tip-off, MSS and Haitian officers mounted a successful ambush that forced the gangs to flee, paving the way for farmers to safely reclaim their long-blocked rice stores. Under the protection of joint patrol teams, residents turned out in large numbers to retrieve their harvests from community storage facilities. For many, it was the first sense of relief after enduring weeks of fear and restricted movement.

To maintain order, security teams spread their presence across Petit Rivière township and along critical routes leading to Palmiste, Laverdure, Canal, and the cemetery. However, retreating gangs left behind significant damage. They dug massive trenches to slow police advances and even destroyed the bridge at Palmiste in a desperate bid to cut off law enforcement’s access.

Speaking after the operation, MSS Commander Godfrey Otunge reassured Haitians that efforts to reopen blocked routes were already underway. “Heavy equipment is being deployed to clear obstacles and restore free movement so that residents can reach their farms and homes,” he said. Otunge praised the resilience and cooperation of the Artibonite region’s residents, urging them to remain steadfast in their support of the mission.

“Very soon, we will be talking about a new Haiti. The MSS mission is possible, and it is the only hope for the Haitian people,” he declared. He further emphasized that specialized units will be deployed to safeguard peaceful regions and prevent gangs from regaining ground.