By Associated Press

PORT-AU-PRINCE – On Tuesday, a second group of 200 Kenyan police officers arrived in Haiti as part of a United Nations-backed initiative to combat the rampant gang violence plaguing the country.

This new contingent follows the initial deployment of 200 officers who arrived nearly a month ago in Port-au-Prince, where gang control extends over approximately 80% of the region.

Due to security reasons, authorities have not disclosed the specific assignments of the Kenyan police. However, AP journalists have observed their presence in patrols around the main international airport, which had recently reopened in late May after being shut down for nearly three months due to gang-related violence.

Kenya’s commitment to the mission is set to expand, with more officers expected to arrive in the coming weeks and months. They will join forces with police and military personnel from several other nations, including the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Chad, and Jamaica, ultimately creating a coalition of 2,500 members.

This international effort, phased over time, is projected to cost around $600 million annually, as reported by the U.N. Security Council.The response from the Haitian public has been mixed. While some residents are hopeful about the new support, others remain skeptical due to Kenya’s own history of police misconduct, including accusations of extrajudicial killings.