Why The Kenya Police Were Outside The US Embassy – Haiti Leaders
Kenyan police in Haiti were deployed to guard the local US Embassy in the Tabarre area due to a meeting, according to officials.
Godfrey Otunge, the troop’s commander, explained that he and other commanders visited the embassy on Friday to discuss a variety of logistical issues.
Hey @WilliamsRuto why is Kenya police guarding US Embassy in Haiti? pic.twitter.com/p66rnAAsgK
— Cyrus Kariuki🇰🇪 (@CyrusKariuki_) July 6, 2024
The team also visited the embassy to receive the most recent batch of equipment sent by the US for use by the troops.
“Our officers were not there to guard the embassy but as part of a meeting that was ongoing inside. We went to discuss many issues and receive more equipment for use by the troops,” he said.
He added that due to the numerous threats, the team was accompanied by approximately ten commandos during the negotiations.
HAITI MISSION STATUS UPDATE pic.twitter.com/0jptsjwfsy
— National Police Service-Kenya (@NPSOfficial_KE) July 6, 2024
His response followed online complaints that the troops were guarding the US Embassy in Haiti instead of patrolling streets to ensure they contained marauding gangs.
Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome stated that since the officers’ arrival in Haiti, they have worked closely with their hosts, the Haitian National Police.
He stated that the troops have already conducted strategic mapping of key operational areas and several joint patrols within Port-au-Prince, the gang-controlled capital.
“As a Service, we wish to reiterate that our mission in Haiti is a noble task for the good of our brothers and sisters of Haiti, and further appeal to fellow Kenyans to support them as they lift our national flag high, along with discharging their international policing mandate,” Koome said.
The team will protect the main port, airport, major highways, hospital, and presidential residence.
On June 24, President William Ruto flagged off the first tranche of Kenya’s 1,000 troops to be deployed to Haiti under the Multinational Security Support Mission.
The mission was approved by the United Nations Security Council on October 2, 2023, under Resolution 2699.
Kenyan police will be joined on the mission by teams from Chile, Jamaica, Grenada, Paraguay, Burundi, Chad, Nigeria, and Mauritius.
Officials expect the second team to leave Kenya on July 15.
Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille told local media that he expects more police officers to arrive and assist in reducing crime in general.
The former Haitian government requested the force in 2022, and Kenyan police were deployed for the first time last month.
More than 500,000 people have fled their homes as a result of the violence, and roughly half of the population is going hungry.
On June 25, more than 200 of the first 400 Kenyan police officers arrived in Haiti.
Why The Kenya Police Were Outside The US Embassy – Haiti Leaders
