Garry Conille: From Haiti's Leadership to U.N. Coordinator in Kenya

In a significant career shift, former Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille has assumed the position of U.N. resident coordinator in Kenya, effective immediately. The announcement, made by the United Nations on Wednesday, marks a new chapter in Conille's extensive diplomatic journey.

During his second tenure as Haiti's prime minister in 2024, Conille coincided with the deployment of Kenyan troops under a U.N.-backed initiative to assist Haitian police in combating violent gangs. This force, initially led by Kenya, has been restructured into the Gang Suppression Force with plans for gradual replacement by other nations, as the Dominican Republic authorities revealed.

With less than 1,000 troops initially in Haiti, mainly from Kenya, the goal is to ramp up to 5,500 by summer, although troop commitments remain scarce. Conille's past experience within the U.N. since 1999, including a regional director role for UNICEF, adds depth to his new Kenyan responsibilities.