Kenyan Police Advance Team To Haiti Return After 6 Days
A group of Kenyan soldiers dispatched to Haiti to evaluate the country’s readiness for a multinational mission is now returning home.
These officers are heading back to Kenya after the planned deployment, initially scheduled for earlier this week, was postponed due to logistical issues.
Sources indicate that the officers are expected to arrive in Kenya on Monday, May 27, following confirmation of the deployment delay by President William Ruto.
An officer from the advance team mentioned that the accommodations intended for the troops were only 70 percent finished.
The officers landed in Haiti on Tuesday, May 21, where they were greeted by members of Haiti’s national police and later met with the presidential transitional committee.
Approximately 200 Kenyan police officers were originally set to arrive in Haiti earlier this week to join those already stationed in the Caribbean.
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In an interview with the BBC, President Ruto explained that the deployment had been postponed to ensure thorough preparation, reaffirming his dedication to stabilizing the conflict-ridden nation.
Ruto stated, “Once we complete the assessment agreed upon with the Haitian police and leadership, we anticipate being ready to deploy within approximately three weeks, once all preparations are finalized on the ground.”
This announcement from Ruto comes shortly after a US official involved in the peacekeeping mission revealed that the deployment might be delayed until early June.
The official, speaking to the Miami Herald, mentioned delays in procuring armored vehicles and helicopters needed for the Kenyan police.
There were also concerns about insufficient communication equipment, with the US official suggesting that these tools would likely be delivered by the end of May.
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden confirmed his administration’s commitment to provide $300 million to support the multinational force, which will include Kenyan police officers alongside personnel from Jamaica, the Bahamas, Antigua, and Barbuda.
Kenyan Police Advance Team To Haiti Return After 6 Days