President William Ruto surprised Kenyan police officers serving with the Multinational Security Support in Haiti by presenting them with Kenyan-made tea during his visit.
Arriving in Haiti on Saturday after a nearly 20-hour flight from Nairobi, Ruto was accompanied by several leaders. He greeted the officers in Port-au-Prince, saying, “Nimewaletea chai. Iko chai mingi hapa” (I have brought you tea. There is a lot of tea here). He specifically called for Mutiso, the logistics officer, to ensure everyone enjoyed the tea.
The tea, packed in boxes, was handed to Ruto by National Security Advisor Monica Juma, who is part of his delegation. Ruto’s visit coincides with his participation in the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where he aimed to assess the progress made since the deployment of the Kenyan contingent 100 days ago. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi also accompanied him.
“I came here to understand your progress so that I can advocate for necessary support from friends and partners at the UNGA,” he stated.
During the session, officers raised concerns about their compensation. One officer inquired about the protocol in case of an incident. Ruto assured them of existing insurance coverage under the National Police Service framework and promised to communicate any additional coverage needed.
Another officer, Daniel Jomo, asked about the availability of additional equipment for their operations, highlighting the difficulties they faced during their long hours of work. Ruto acknowledged the challenges and assured the officers that their concerns would be addressed.
The mission, authorized by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), is set to be extended beyond its one-year mandate, which expires next month. Ruto emphasized the importance of the international community’s attention to Haiti’s needs and commended the officers for their significant contributions to restoring peace and securing critical infrastructure.
During his visit, Ruto also met with Transitional Presidential Council President Edgard Le Leblanc, noting that the UN-backed mission has instilled hope in the Haitian people. He praised the efforts of the mission under Force Commander Godfrey Otunge and mentioned that an additional 600 personnel are undergoing training for deployment. Kenya first dispatched its contingent in June 2024.
