President Ruto visits Kenyan forces in Haiti, commends progress: Video
President William Ruto visited Kenyan forces deployed in Haiti as part of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM) authorised by the United Nations Security Council nearly a year ago.
The mission has deployed less than a quarter of its planned 2,500-strong contingent and includes 400 Kenyan officers stationed in Haiti since this summer.
In his address, President Ruto praised the efforts of Kenyan forces and their collaboration with the Haitian National Police, stating, "There are many people who thought this Haiti was mission impossible. But today, they have changed their mind because of the progress you have made,” AFP reports.
Ruto expressed optimism about the mission's impact on Haiti's security situation. "Today there is a lot more confidence that the job of stabilizing Haiti - dealing with gangs, violence, and freeing the people from the yoke of underdevelopment caused by violence - is possible," he said.
"I know that this job you are going to overcome. This is an assignment we are undertaking as a responsible member of the international community, and because we believe in God," Ruto added while promising further support.
Ruto further committed to enforcing the mission, promising more resources. "I want to commit to you that I will do everything possible to make sure that you have additional personnel, more equipment, and are better resourced so that you can undertake this assignment on behalf of all people of goodwill, both in Kenya, in our region, and globally," he added.
An estimated 200 armed gangs are believed to be operating in Haiti, with around half active in Port-au-Prince.
