On Saturday, September 21, 2024, the Kenya Airways plane (flight KQ7680) carrying Kenyan President William Ruto and his delegation, landed on the tarmac of Toussaint Louverture International Airport at 1:29 p.m. for an official visit that is part of the active participation of Kenyan forces deployed alongside the Haitian National Police (PNH) to restore security and public order in the country.

Édgard Leblanc Fils, President of the Transitional Council, accompanied by 5 advisors, Kethleen Florestal who is replacing interim Prime Minister Garry Conille currently in New York, Rameau Normil, the Acting Commander of the PNH, members of the diplomatic corps, as well as Kenyan police officers in military uniform, PNH special unit officers and the National Palace band were present to welcome the Kenyan President on the red carpet.

President Ruto said his visit to Haiti had two objectives: the first to meet and share ideas with the Haitian authorities aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and the second to visit the base and troops of the Mission.

After a tête-à-tête of about an hour with the Haitian executive leaders at the diplomatic lounge of the airport, William Ruto went to the base of the Mission to meet the personnel of the Mission, meet with Commander Godfrey Otunge and visit the Kenyan troops and some installations of the base.

Then, President Ruto before taking the plane back to Washington where he will participate in the 79th General Assembly of the United Nations, returned to the Diplomatic Lounge for a joint press conference with President Leblanc, where they stressed the crucial importance of this police collaboration to restore a climate of peace and stability for the holding of the next elections in Haiti.

The President of the Transitional Council, Edgard Leblanc Fils, welcomed the fruitful discussions with President Ruto regarding bilateral relations between the two countries, particularly with regard to coordination between the PNH, the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd’H) and the forces of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti.

Ruto said "[...] The troops we have in Haiti are not sufficient. We should have 2,500 men today. We only have 400 (the first contingent arrived on June 25 and the second on July 16). We also have logistical problems. We do not have enough equipment [...].”

For his part, Leblanc Fils acknowledged that the force "[...] has started to produce results," but that "it is necessary to strengthen the mission so that it can achieve its objective and allow the Haitian State to resume its activities and ensure security after this support."

Kenya's President William Ruto has announced the arrival of two (2) additional Kenyan contingents of 300 soldiers each, the first contingent will arrive next October and the second in November 2024. Other good news, Ruto indicated "[...] many other countries are starting to commit to help Haiti. There will be a deployment of 20 other countries that have committed to send men to join the multinational force."

HL/ HaitiLibre