Gang violence: Kenyan police set to arrive in Haiti within three weeks, President Ruto confirms
Armed members of "G9 and Family" march in a protest against Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)
As gang violence continues to rage in Haiti, Kenyan President William Ruto, has assured that his country will deploy a peacekeeping police team to the Caribbean nation in three weeks as earlier promised.
In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Mr. Ruto stated that a planning team was already in the Caribbean nation and had spoken with Haitian police to make arrangements before Kenyan troops were deployed.
Mr. Ruto’s remarks came as he concluded a three-day visit to Washington, DC.
During his trip, the White House urged the Kenyan-led multinational team to be deployed as soon as possible after a US couple was identified as one of three missionaries killed in Haiti on Friday.
In 2023, Kenya offered to lead a UN-backed international security team to restore peace on the Caribbean island.
Following President Jovenel Moïse’s assassination in July 2021, gangs have gained control of Haiti, causing bloodshed and damage in the capital.
On Friday, gangs assassinated two US missionaries in Haiti, which further highlighted the worrying situation.
The latest development, according to Mr. Ruto, spurred Kenya to seek an immediate deployment of forces to prevent continuous bloodshed.
President Joe Biden also vowed his relentless support for the quick deployment of the force, which included the US security teams, in his meeting with President Ruto.
