Ruto, Biden Pinned Down On Deployment Of Kenya Police To Haiti

The two Heads of State sought to address the controversy surrounding the mission when they held a joint press conference at the White House in Washington DC

Viral Tea Ke Writer Viral Tea Ke Writer
May 24, 2024 - 00:17 Updated: May 24, 2024 - 01:04
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Ruto, Biden Pinned Down On Deployment Of Kenya Police To Haiti
President William Ruto and US President Joe Biden at the White House on May 23, 2024. /PCS

President William Ruto and his United States (US) counterpart, Joe Biden were at a loss to explain Kenya’s planned deployment of police officers to Haiti which has been driving up debate in many quarters since its announcement in October 2023.

The two Heads of State sought to address the controversy surrounding the mission when they held a joint press conference at the White House in Washington DC on Thursday morning US time (evening in Kenyan time).

President Ruto, while responding to journalist Ayub Abdikadir's question, affirmed that the deployment of police to the Caribbean nation was Kenya's responsibility in helping countries in distress.

"I made a commitment to Kenyans to sort out insecurity in the North Rift, and I have followed that with action. As we speak there are 3,000 military officers in the North Rift and 2,000 police officers in the North Rift," the President said.

"We have renovated the first 15 schools and reopened 20 schools that were closed which is ongoing. We have made tremendous progress to create security at home."

Ruto argued that Kenya has been leading the charge in terms of helping countries in Africa regain peace and stability and Haiti would not be an exception.

He expressed that the government was 'killing two birds with one stone' by sending the police to Haiti and making progress in solving the banditry menace in the North Rift.

"Even as we were deploying troops and police officers in our own country in North Rift to sort out the banditry problem, we still deployed 1000 troops to DRC Congo because that is our neighbourhood," Ruto said.

The President added that Kenya has deployed 5,000 troops in Somalia on a peacekeeping mission.

"This deployment is equally our responsibility and Haiti should not be an exception. That is why deploying 1,000 security men to Haiti speaks to the same belief and commitment to peace and security."

Biden on his part stressed that the geopolitical complexities of deploying U.S. troops to Haiti, a neighbouring country, necessitated an alternative approach. 

"For us to deploy forces in the hemisphere raises all kinds of questions that can be easily misrepresented about what we are trying to do," Biden explained.

He added, "We set out to find a partner or partners who would lead that effort, and we would participate in not with American forces but with supplies and making sure they have what they need."

The U.S. has committed to supporting the mission through logistics, intelligence, and equipment, but not with troops on the ground.

Biden’s administration has pledged substantial financial backing, with $300 million earmarked for the initiative, saying "We are going to support the collective effort", emphasising the U.S. role in facilitating the mission.

Kenya’s participation in the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) in Haiti marks a significant departure from its traditional focus on regional African interventions. 

With regards to claims that the US pushed Kenya into sending troops to Haiti, President Ruto said "The US cannot commit Kenya to participate in the Haiti mission. I am the president of Kenya and it is me to make that decision. It is the people of Kenya to commit their own troops using their own structures."

He added, "It's the people of Kenya who made this decision in the interest of serving peace and stability as a responsible global citizen."

The planned deployment has sparked intense debate within Kenya’s Parliament and courts, with critics terming this an unwise move for the government to deploy police officers halfway around the world while Kenya was still contending with its own security challenges, including terrorism and banditry.

The mission represents Kenya’s first peacekeeping effort outside Africa, involving police rather than military troops, a matter that has intensified the pointing of fingers from different quarters.

According to the UN, more than 2,500 people were killed or injured from January to March, and at least 95,000 people have fled the capital, Port-au-Prince. 

On Tuesday, the first 100 Kenyan police officers arrived as peacekeepers in Haiti. Another 900 are due to follow as Kenya takes up leadership of the multiple foreign forces helping to restore law and order in Haiti.

Deputy Inspector General of Administration Police Noor Gabow is leading the delegation that visited Port au Prince last year for planning and reconnaissance. Gabow will serve as the Force Commander of the Multinational Security Support Mission and has already arrived in the gang violence-hit Caribbean country.

The US Defense Department has landed more than 37 flights in Haiti’s Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port au Prince since late April, according to local media.

Kenyan troops will be used to guard the airport and other key installations. The airport, along with the neighbouring Guy Malary domestic airport, had been shut to commercial and regular flights since armed gangs launched attacks on February 29 against state institutions.