Despite rumors to the contrary, Kenya is sending a police force to Haiti because the Caribbean nation requested assistance, according to Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua on Tuesday.
Kenya is one of the most sought-after countries for peacekeeping missions, according to Mutua, who stated this at a news conference in Nairobi. Kenya sent troops to Namibia, Sierra Leone, East Timor, South Sudan, Somalia, and the DRC.
The government of Haiti asked Kenya to lead a police operation to help stabilize and restore order to their country "because of Kenya's stellar performance," the minister added.
"We assure the people of Haiti that we feel your pain. When you cry out, we feel it and when your children suffer. Your pain is our pain. We shall stand with you at this difficult time and walk the journey towards peace together because you deserve to live a secure and prosperous life."
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In Haiti, where violent gangs have taken over significant territory due to overlapping public health, political, and economic crises, Kenya has promised to provide 1,000 security troops.
Since President Jovenel Mose was killed at his home in the nation's capital, Port-au-Prince, in July 2021, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere has descended into turmoil.
According to statistics from the UN, more than 2,400 violent deaths have existed since the year's beginning.
The United States announced earlier this month that up to a dozen nations had pledged backing while committing its logistical support. There have been calls for an international military to act.
Along with Kenya, the Bahamas, Antigua, and Jamaica have also shown an interest in participating.
"Kenya has pledged its assistance for the natives of our continent, our brothers and sisters in Haiti. Indeed, we share a shared heritage and many similarities, Mutua stated on Tuesday.
According to Mutua, ten additional nations were on board with the operation, who also stated that Kenya was collaborating with other partners to obtain a United Nations mandate.
"We are currently working with other partners to get a United Nations mandate and resolution. We will thereafter hold meetings to garner support for the necessary deployment. Already ten other nations have indicated their willingness to send troops and or finance the mission," said the CS.
In the last one year, Kenya’s Foreign Policy has been guided by the need to empower the Kenyan people. Our policy is neither leaning East nor West, our policy is WORLD LEANING for the benefits of our people.
— Dr. Alfred N. Mutua (@DrAlfredMutua) September 26, 2023
The high level outbound and inbound visits and the successful… pic.twitter.com/W28h7WRvyf
Although, he did not say when he mentioned that the government was looking to send police officers to Haiti in the upcoming months.
We anticipate going to Haiti to aid our brothers and sisters in a few months, Mutua remarked.
