A team of high-ranking Haitian police commanders wrapped up their visit to Nairobi on Wednesday, preparing for the deployment of a Kenyan police team to Haiti.
The delegation, which departed Nairobi on June 19, expressed satisfaction with Kenya’s preparations to lead a multi-national security mission in the Caribbean nation.
The visit coincided with discussions between Kenyan President William Ruto and the Haiti Transitional Presidential Council, chaired by Engineer Edgard Leblanc Fils. President Ruto was joined by his national security advisor, Monica Juma, and Deputy Inspector General of Administration Police, Noor Gabow, who will head the Kenyan police contingent in Haiti.
President Ruto reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to the global values of multilateralism, as outlined in the United Nations Charter. “We will safeguard shared principles of humanity that enable us to advance peace, security, and stability. We shall establish communication channels as part of the ongoing engagement in restoring peace to Haiti,” he stated.
During their three-day stay, the Haitian delegation engaged in several meetings, including discussions with Kenya’s Inspector General of Police, Japhet Koome. Haitian Police official Joachim Prohete expressed his country’s urgent need for assistance. “We are counting on your support,” he said.
Inspector General Koome assured the Haitian officials of Kenya’s commitment to the mission, emphasizing the importance of protecting the people of Haiti, especially women and children. “We are ready and committed to come over and assist whenever needed,” Koome affirmed.
The Haitian police delegation also met with the commanders of the Kenyan team set to be deployed to Haiti and toured the barracks where Haitian police officers will receive training. Kenyan officials confirmed that the team would depart for Haiti before the end of June 2024.
President Ruto underscored Kenya’s dedication to its international obligations, noting that nations like Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo are also relying on Kenyan assistance. “We have a very blessed nation that is being depended on by foreign nations as well. For those in Haiti, maybe this coming week or next week we will deploy our police to maintain peace,” Ruto stated.
The preparations for the deployment are complete, with teams already stationed at their respective camps. Kenya, leading the 2,500-member security force, has established rules of engagement with the Haitian government. The Kenyan contingent, which includes more than 1,000 police officers, will join forces with other international teams to combat the gangs terrorizing Haiti’s capital.
Countries contributing to the mission alongside Kenya include Chile, Jamaica, Grenada, Paraguay, Burundi, Chad, Nigeria, and Mauritius. The Kenyan units involved are the Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU), Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), General Service Unit (GSU), and Border Patrol Unit (BPU), all of which are combat-trained and equipped to handle the situation professionally.
President Ruto highlighted that the Kenyan police force had undergone extensive training, including language courses, to prepare for their peacekeeping role in Haiti. Deputy Inspector General Gabow, who led a reconnaissance mission to Haiti, identified an urgent need for retraining the local police to restore law and order effectively.
The anticipation in Haiti is high, with hopes that the arrival of international forces will alleviate the stranglehold of armed gangs, which have caused severe shortages of medications and food.
