Govt Will Not Spend Your Money On Haiti Mission- Kindiki To Kenyans
The CS revealed that instead, the United Nations (UN) would cater for the cost of deployment from the contributions of its member states.
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Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki on Sunday, October 15 assured Kenyans that the country will not spend a single cent on the planned deployment of police officers to Haiti under the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission.
Kindiki made the assurance when he joined the Christian faithful at Kithirune Methodist Church of Kenya, Central Imenti Constituency, Meru County for Sunday Worship and Thanksgiving.
The CS revealed that instead, the United Nations (UN) would cater for the cost of deployment from the contributions of its member states.
"Kenya will not spend any money on the deployment of our National Police Service Officers to Haiti. The cost of deployment will be catered by the United Nations, from the contributions of member states," stated Kindiki.
A photo collage of the Haiti gang and the Kenya General Service Unit. /REUTERS.THE CONVERSATION
The country offered to send 1,000 of Kenya's police to the Caribbean nation, which has been controlled by gangs and received approval from the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on the same.
The planned MSS operation now awaits Parliamentary approval, having been given the green light by the National Security Council and the Cabinet.
Kindiki further assured that Kenya's participation in the Haiti peacekeeping mission will not in any way compromise or undermine our commitment and responsibility to protect citizens and their property, despite concerns emerging from a section of Kenyans, political leaders and security experts regarding the planned mission.
"The pursuit of bandits, terrorists and other armed criminals will continue, as the Government balances its national and international obligations," he added.
Kindiki underscored Kenya's honour to be considered to contribute troops to the peacekeeping mission in Haiti as well as leading the exercise, affirming that the country would succeed in the Caribbean nation as it has done in previous peacekeeping missions.
"Chile, Jamaica, Grenada, Paraguay, Burundi, Chad, Nigeria and Mauritius are among the countries that have confirmed the deployment of their officers to Haiti," the CS responded to concerns that Kenya would be alone in the mission.
In his direct response to Kenyans who raised grievances with the support mission, President William Ruto on Saturday, October 14 argued that Haiti is part of the African Union’s 6th region and has an affinity with Kenya.
"This places a duty of care on every African country. Just like we acted in concert to secure the freedom of the whole continent, Africa is keen to contribute to the freedom and security of Haiti. This explains the critical role of the three African Countries in the UNSC in the negotiation leading up to the adoption of the resolution and the demonstrated commitment of support to this mission from African countries.
"Owing to our strong commitment to 3 Pan-Africanism, we are leading the mission to Haiti, in fulfilment of our obligation to Africa and its diaspora," he stated in a recorded address.
Furthermore, the deployment of police to Haiti, according to Ruto, is informed by a careful balance of the country's national security priorities and capabilities aided by a comprehensive analysis of the evolving security situation.
Kenya, at the moment, is engaged in consultations with a wide range of actors across the globe to ensure that Kenya does not jeopardise the mission, one which he saw as an opportunity to continue improving Kenya's most important asset.
"This deployment will enable our officers to improve and sharpen their competencies, skills and experiences in providing security, even beyond our borders. The operation will restore security to Haiti, will enhance the capacity of our national police force to serve humanity even beyond our borders, and will reaffirm our position of pride among the Community of Nations.
"I urge all Kenyans to support our National Police Service as it undertakes this noble duty of care as a responsible member of the International Community," Ruto pledged.
