- The two, during the call, reiterated their commitments to support the course that will be spearheaded by the Kenyan police.
- Blinken also appreciated Kenya's efforts to ensure there is peace and sanity in the East African region.
Image: FILE
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday had a call conversation with President William Ruto, over the deployment of Kenyan police officers to help restore order in Haiti.
The two, during the call, reiterated their commitments to support the course that will be spearheaded by the Kenyan police.
This comes in the wake of unrest in the country even as gangs try to take charge of the country.
"Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Kenyan President William Ruto to discuss the ongoing political and security crisis in Haiti," a statement from the US State Department reads.
"They underscored unwavering commitment to the deployment of a Multinational Security Support mission to support the Haitian National Police in creating the security conditions necessary to conduct free and fair elections."
Blinken also appreciated Kenya's efforts to ensure there is peace and sanity in the East African region.
"Secretary Blinken also offered his appreciation for Kenya’s diplomatic work to support peace and security in the Horn of Africa."
Kenya is expected to deploy at least 1,000 police officers to the Caribbean country of Haiti.
The country has been overtaken by gangs who control key cities, as well as other regions in the country.
Gang influence has continued to grow in the country since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021.
It is estimated that 200 to 300 gangs control large swathes of the country, with 90 per cent of the capital, Port-au-Prince under gangs.
In July 2023, Kenya pledged to offer 1,000 police officers after Haiti appealed for international help to assist in battling the gangs blamed for spiralling violence.
On October 13, 2023, the National Security Council and Cabinet approved the deployment of 1,000 police officers.
On November 16, 2023, Parliament unanimously approved the deployment.
On March 1, Prime Minister Henry visited Kenya and witnessed the signing of an agreement on the deployment of the troops.
President William Ruto witnessed the signing of the agreement.
The 1,000 police officers will work under the Multi-National Security Support Mission.
The adoption of Resolution 2699 on October 2, 2023, by the United Nations Security Council authorised the deployment of the multinational security support mission to Haiti.
Kenya agreed to lead the coordination of the international mission after a request by member states.
Burundi, Chad, Senegal, Jamaica and Belize have also pledged to send additional troops.
Gang leaders have in recent days intensified calls for Ariel Henry's resignation as Prime Minister.
The latest wave of violence began after Henry visited Kenya with the gangs demanding that he does not go back to the country.
He, however, proceeded but an attempt to take over the country's airport on March 3 by the gangs seemingly aborted plans for him to land home.
Henry’s whereabouts remained unknown until Wednesday when it was reported that he had flown to Puerto Rico.