Kenya to Deploy 1,000 Police Officers to Haiti for Peacekeeping Mission Within Three Weeks, Confirms President Ruto
President William Ruto has announced that 1,000 Kenyan police officers will be deployed to Haiti for a peacekeeping mission within three weeks.
In an interview with the BBC, President Ruto explained that this timeline would allow for necessary security preparations before the deployment of the officers.
He also mentioned that the security base, which will accommodate the Kenyan troops and their equipment, is 70 percent complete.
These statements were made during his three-day state visit to the United States, where President Joe Biden emphasized the need for a prompt deployment following a recent attack in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, which resulted in the deaths of three American missionaries.
Ruto disclosed that the Kenyan government is awaiting a comprehensive report from the officials already in Haiti to evaluate the situation.
“I have a team already in Haiti as I speak to you,” he mentioned.
“Once we have completed the assessment in coordination with the Haitian police and leadership, we anticipate being ready for deployment in approximately three weeks, provided the ground situation is set.”
ALSO READ:
- US and Australia Issue Travel Advisories for Kenya Amid Anti-Finance Bill Protests
- Kenyan Economist David Ndii Reveals He Earns Ksh 666K Monthly, Ksh 45K Per Hour in Consulting
- Outrage As Gabriel Oguda, More Anti-Finance Bill Protesters Abducted Ahead Of Tuesday Demos
- Babu Owino Urges University Students to Skip Exams and Join Anti-Finance Bill 2024 Protests
- Increased Security in Nairobi CBD Ahead of Anti-Finance Bill Protests
The president noted that the recent violent events in Haiti motivated him to spearhead this peacekeeping initiative.
“We should not be losing lives, especially missionaries,” he remarked.
“Our goal is to prevent further loss of life to gang violence,” he added.
On Friday, Adrienne Watson, the spokesperson for the US National Security Council, reported that three missionaries were brutally killed and their bodies burned by gang members who then fled the scene.
“The security crisis in Haiti demands immediate attention. Our condolences go out to the families of the victims,” the spokesperson said.
During a White House press briefing, President Ruto defended the decision to send 1,000 police officers to Haiti, highlighting Kenya’s consistent role in supporting international peace efforts.
Ruto affirmed that Haiti would not be an exception to Kenya’s commitment to global peace.
Kenya to Deploy 1,000 Police Officers to Haiti for Peacekeeping Mission Within Three Weeks, Confirms President Ruto