President William Ruto has said that Kenya is ready to send police to Haiti, to help stabilise the country.
His affirmation came shortly after Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigned officially, paving the way for swearing in of the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC).
“In implementing the roadmap contained in this political accord, Kenya stands ready and willing- in concert with a broad alliance of nations in Africa and CARICOM- committed to Haiti’s stability, to rapidly execute the security support infrastructure envisaged under UN Security Council 2699 (2023),” Ruto said.
“Kenya assures the TPC of Haiti of its full support as it shepherds the country through this complex interregnum.”
He noted that the PTC taking charge of Haiti is a crucial step towards the political transition of the Caribbean country.
“The TPC has the singular task of moving speedily to re-establish key organs of the State critical to the restoration of law and order and necessary for the ushering of hope to all Haitians as prescribed by the Decree of April 12, 2024.”
Earlier this month, Ruto welcomed the formal Proclamation by Decree establishing the PTC.
He said the decision is evidence of the collective courage and singular sacrifice of the Haitian Council of Cabinet to forge a Haiti free of violence and to entrench a new democratic administration.
Ruto said Kenya is confident that the new political leadership will lay a strong foundation for resolution of the crisis in Haiti, restore security, afford the Haitian people a political transition and usher in sustainable peace and development.
Kenya will lead a multi-agency team to Haiti to fight gangs controlling much of the country.
Kenya plans to deploy more than 1,000 officers to Haiti to help in the mission.
The teams are from the Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU), Anti Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), General Service Unit (GSU) and Border Patrol Unit (BPU).
This is a combat-trained team that officials say can handle the situation on the ground professionally.
