The government has revealed that a number of Kenyan police officers have begun taking French lessons as logistical arrangements for the multinational security support mission in Haiti commences.
Speaking on Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua said that the move is part of the preparatory efforts for the Kenyan security personnel who will complement the efforts of the Haiti National Police Force currently battling criminal gangs wreaking havoc in the Caribbean nation.
The two official languages of Haiti are French and Haitian Creole.
The exercise will enable Kenyan forces to better communicate with their Haitian counterparts and the general public as they seek to restore order in the country.
However, Mutua said that the Kenya contingent will only deploy after the green light from the United Nations Security Council.
Did you read this?
Further, he said Kenya is actively pursuing discussions to secure the necessary support for the proposed mission.
“We expect the UN mandate within the next few weeks. After that we will deploy to Haiti, latest by early January,” Mutua said.
Additionally, the CS revealed that the government has started planning logistics, equipment, and personnel as head of deployment.
Haiti has been grappling with a surge in violence since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021 at his private residence in the capital, Port-au-Prince, triggering calls for a security intervention.
Mutua said the request from the leadership of the Caribbean State was what prompted Kenya to decide to support the proposed Police Mission to Haiti.
According to Mutua, ten additional countries have expressed a desire to send troops and contribute money to the global security support mission in the violent Caribbean country.
The CS for Foreign Affairs emphasized that Haiti's choice to accept Kenyan cooperation was motivated by Kenya's outstanding track record in peacekeeping missions worldwide, as well as a shared legacy.
“Kenya is one of the most successful and sought-after Nations for peace keeping Missions as we play our part as a member of the family of nations,” he told reporters in Nairobi .
Moreover, he claims that most Haitians support the Kenyan-led UN-backed intervention.
“It is because of Kenya’s stellar performance that the Government of Haiti requested Kenya to lead a Police Mission to help stabilize and bring order to their country.”
