No Turning Back: Kenyan Police to Leave for Haiti Next Week as William Ruto Heads to US

 

President Ruto at a millitary function

The National Police Service is set to deploy the first batch of police officers to Haiti for a peacekeeping mission. President William Ruto inspects a guard of owner by GSU recruits.  The first group of 200 police officers will leave the country next week and arrive in the troubled Caribbean nation on May 23/24. A report by Citizen Digital revealed that their arrival will coincide with President William Ruto's much-anticipated state visit to the United States (US). The officers will mainly be drawn from the elite Recce squad, Rapid Deployment Force and Special Operation Group. Kenya's deployment to Haiti comes seven months after the United Nations Security Council gave the country the green light to lead a multinational peacekeeping mission. The mission's main agenda is to restore order in the troubled country that has seen a surge in gang-related violence. Kenya police officers will be operating from military barracks that have been under construction by US soldiers who arrived in Port-au-Prince earlier. Which countries will join Kenya in Haiti Jamaica, Paraguay, Chile, and Grenada are some of the countries that have pledged forces to pacify Haiti. In Africa, Kenya will be joined by Burundi, Chad, Nigeria and Mauritius. Earlier, former Haitian prime minister Ariel Henry's resignation threw the plan into confusion. Henry's resignation was confirmed by his advisor, Jean Junior Joseph, who stated that Henry would remain in his role until the formation of a new interim government. Guyana's leader and current Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) chairperson, Irfaan Ali, announced Henry's resignation. The resignation came as gangs took over the streets of Port-au-Prince following the signing of an agreement with Kenya Ruto reiterates support for Haiti Earlier, Ruto affirmed Kenya's dedication to restoring peace in Haiti following the inauguration of the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC). Ruto emphasised the importance of the TPC in Haiti's political transition, highlighting its role in re-establishing crucial state organs for restoring law and order. He expressed Kenya's readiness to collaborate with other nations and international organisations to support Haiti's stability efforts. Ruto assured the TPC of Kenya's full support in implementing the political accord and executing security support infrastructure. 

by  Didacus Malowa