President William Ruto announced that the deployment of 1,000 Kenyan police officers to Haiti for a peacekeeping mission will take place in three weeks.
Speaking to the BBC, President Ruto confirmed the timeline, stating it would allow for necessary security arrangements before the officers are deployed. He added that the security base, which will house the Kenyan troops and equipment, is 70 percent complete.
President Ruto’s remarks came during his three-day state visit to the United States, where President Joe Biden called for the swift deployment of the officers following a recent attack in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, that resulted in the deaths of three American missionaries.
Adrienne Watson, the US National Security Council spokesperson, revealed that the missionaries were fatally shot by gunmen and their bodies burned before the attackers fled the scene.
“The security situation in Haiti cannot wait. Our hearts go out to the families of those killed as they experience unimaginable grief,” Watson stated.
During a press briefing at the White House, President Ruto defended the decision to deploy the 1,000 police officers to Haiti, emphasizing Kenya’s longstanding commitment to aiding countries in regaining peace.
“Kenya has always been at the forefront of helping countries regain peace, and Haiti will be no exception,” Ruto affirmed.
The Kenyan deployment to Haiti underscores the nation’s dedication to global peacekeeping efforts, despite the complexities and risks involved.
As the mission progresses, the international community will closely monitor the situation, hoping for improved stability and security in Haiti.
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