A fresh deployment of 217 Kenyan police officers landed in Port-au-Prince on Saturday, strengthening an international security mission aimed at curbing the escalating gang violence in #Haiti. The officers arrived aboard a chartered aircraft, escorted by the U.S. military, after months of uncertainty surrounding Kenya’s commitment to the mission, according to @MiamiHerald.
Upon their arrival, the Kenyan officers upheld their tradition of celebratory singing and dancing on the tarmac, proudly carrying both their rifles and a #Haitian flag. This contingent is part of a larger commitment of 600 Kenyan officers, trained and vetted by U.S. officials, that President #WilliamRuto pledged to deploy last year. However, delays due to political shifts in the United States and Haiti postponed the full deployment.
Renewed Commitment to Security
Concerns over Kenya’s continued participation were alleviated this week following comments from President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of State. During his Senate confirmation hearing, Florida Senator Marco Rubio praised Kenya’s leadership in the Multinational Security Support Mission and assured ongoing U.S. support.
With the latest deployment, Kenya’s total presence in Haiti now stands at 597 police officers, contributing to a multinational security force of nearly 800 personnel. Other contributing nations include Jamaica, The Bahamas, Belize, Guatemala, and El Salvador, all working collectively to stabilize Haiti. The Biden administration, advocating for the mission’s expansion, aimed to achieve 1,000 security personnel before the transition of power in Washington.
Kenya’s Role in the Mission
In Kenya, CS Interior Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen officiated the send-off ceremony for the second contingent of officers. He was joined by PS Raymond Omollo, Inspector General Japhet Koome Kanja, Monica Juma, and Joseph Boinet. The deployment underscores Kenya’s commitment to global security and its leadership role in international peacekeeping efforts.
This mission represents a significant step in addressing Haiti’s ongoing security challenges, with Kenya playing a pivotal role in the broader multinational effort. The deployment of Kenyan officers, combined with international collaboration, aims to bring much-needed stability to a country grappling with unprecedented violence and unrest.
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