German Chancellor pledges support for Kenya's Haiti mission

By Peter Ochieng

President William Ruto on Monday met and held talks with Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz, on the sidelines of the ongoing "G20 Compact with Africa" conference.

Ruto left the country for Berlin on Sunday.

He says Kenya and Germany will use existing relations to benefit the people.

"Kenya and Germany share strong historic ties and considerable interests especially in trade, investment, environmental conservation and industrial promotion. We will build on these relations to benefit our people," he said.

During talks with the Germany Chancellor, Olaf Scholz pledged to support Kenya's mission to Haiti and peace in the Horn of Africa.

Kenya is among counties expected to deploy police to Haiti, with a view of tackling gangsters who reportedly run affairs in the Caribbean nation.

The mission, backed by the United Nations (UN) starts in January, 2023. Kenya will deploy 1,000 police officers.

Last week, Members of Parliament (MPs) voted in favour of the deployment.

The one year long mission, according to Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Interior Kithure Kindiki will cost Sh36 billion.

The CS recently said that the cost will be footed by UN, and that Kenya police officers will not leave for Haiti minus availability of the resources.

"No taxpayers' money will be spent to deploy the 1,000 National Police Service Officers as part of the Multi-National Security Support in Haiti. The cost of deployment will be borne by United Nations member states through voluntary contributions."

"Deployment of National Police Service Officers to Haiti will neither compromise nor undermine the capacity and capability of the service to fulfil its mandate to secure citizens and their property," he added.

The CS spoke while appearing before the Joint Sitting of National Assembly and Senate Committees on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations on the request for approval by Parliament of deployment of NPS officers to Haiti.