Ruto witnesses signing of deal to deploy police to Haiti

President William Ruto on Thursday witnessed the signing of an agreement that will pave the way for Kenya to deploy police officers to Haiti.

Kenya has agreed to send 1,000 Kenyan security officers to the Caribbean nation to help combat the gang violence that has wrecked the country for years.

Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua and his Haitian counterpart Jean Victor Génus signed the deal on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, US.

“The Peace Mission is a global, concerted move meant to conclusively address the Haiti situation and restore world peace,” a statement from a Statehouse spokesman read.

Also present during the ceremony was the Haiti prime minister Ariel Henry.

The signing of the pact comes a day after US President Joe Biden commended Ruto's willingness to deploy the officers to support and train the Caribbean nation's law enforcement in their efforts to restore stability to the troubled nation.

Speaking at the 78th edition of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, which Ruto attended, Biden underscored that the international body must continue to preserve peace, prevent conflict and alleviate human suffering globally.

"We embrace nations stepping up to lead new ways and to seek new breakthroughs on hard issues. For example in Haiti, the Caribbean communities facilitated a dialogue among Haitian society," Biden said.

"I thank President William Ruto of Kenya for his willingness to serve as the lead nation of an UN-backed security support system."

Last month, a Kenyan security team embarked on an assessment mission to Haiti before briefing the president on its findings.

A series of events are planned if a decision is made to send police to combat the gang violence that has wrecked the Caribbean nation.

These include identification of the team to be recruited, training them, kitting the team, funding them and dispatching them to Haiti.

The accord between the two countries shows that recognizes the need to promote and strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation for the mutual benefit of the people in the pursuit of common interests.

“Guided by the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, International Law and Treaties, particularly with regard to the promotion of international peace and security, equality among States, national sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and non-interference in the internal affairs of other States and under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of April 18, 1961, and the Vienna Convention on Relations. Consulars of April 24, 1963,” reads the document.

“Have decided to establish diplomatic relations, from the date of signing of this Joint Communiqué and have agreed to exchange Ambassadors following the processes established through diplomatic channels.”