President William Ruto arrived in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Saturday, marking 100 days since he dispatched the Kenyan police contingent for the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) in the Caribbean nation.
His visit aims to evaluate the progress of the mission, commend the Kenyan officers working alongside Haitian forces, and engage with the Transitional Presidential Council, led by Edgard LeBlanc, as well as Haitian Cabinet members.
Ruto departed from Nairobi on Friday night, first landing in New York before continuing to Haiti, totaling around 20 hours of travel time.
Local officials noted that his presence in Port-au-Prince is particularly important as he prepares to discuss the mission’s welfare during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session, especially since the MSS mandate is set to expire next month and is anticipated to be renewed by the UN Security Council for another year.
The communication team of Haiti’s Presidential Transitional Council emphasized that Ruto’s visit is part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between Kenya and Haiti, focusing on security and development cooperation.
Fils, the head of the Transitional Council who approved the deployment of Kenyan officers, is expected to discuss various “issues of international interest” with Ruto.
Ruto will also attend the 79th session of the UNGA in New York.
The MSS has faced challenges such as logistical issues and budget overruns, prompting the United States to consider transitioning to a traditional UN peacekeeping operation.
The Kenyan contingent, which includes 400 police officers, has been actively conducting operations in Haiti, collaborating with local law enforcement to combat gang violence.
Recently, they conducted security patrols in Delmas, leading to the arrest of several gang leaders.
Despite the presence of the Kenyan police and troops from Jamaica and Belize, many neighborhoods around the capital remain under gang control, leading to disappointment among the local population and law enforcement.
The U.S. administration has recognized difficulties in maintaining the current mission and is exploring alternatives to restore order in Haiti.
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