Port-au-Prince, Haiti — Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille departed for Washington and New York on Friday, coinciding with the arrival of Kenyan police officers in Port-au-Prince. The Kenyans are part of a U.N.-backed mission to combat armed gangs that have overrun the capital.

Accompanying Conille on his trip are Foreign Minister Dominique Dupuy, Finance Minister Ketleen Florestal, and Chief of Staff Nesmy Manigat. During his absence, Justice Minister Carlos Hercule will serve as acting prime minister. According to Conille’s office, the delegation will engage in key meetings with officials from international financial institutions and will inspect Haiti’s embassy in Washington.

A spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council announced that Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer will meet with Conille on Monday. The United States is the primary financial supporter of the Kenya-led international security force, which has been ratified by the United Nations to assist Haitian police in addressing the gang violence that has led to a humanitarian crisis.

Haiti initially requested this international intervention in 2022. The first contingent of Kenyan police arrived this week, but it remains unclear when the full force, expected to exceed 2,500 personnel, will be deployed.

Port-au-Prince residents expressed cautious optimism as they witnessed the arrival of the Kenyan officers, who were seen patrolling in black armored vans, clad in khaki uniforms, bullet-proof jackets, and helmets.

“We need peace. If the Kenyan police forces are here, it’s so we can return to the lives we used to have. We hope they’ve come to work seriously,” said Kloud Dine, a local resident.

“We need the Kenyans here a while because the gang members make us suffer too much,” added Louise Baret, a painter. “Enough is enough.”

Despite the hope, the mission faces significant threats. In a video circulated on social media, gang leader Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier incited his followers to resist the Kenyan forces violently, declaring, “I don’t care if they are white or black. If they’re not Haitian and they’re on Haitian soil, they’re invaders.”

The gang violence in Haiti has forced over half a million people from their homes and has left around half the population struggling with hunger. The international community and local authorities are hopeful that the presence of Kenyan police will help restore order and stability to the beleaguered nation.