USA did not send Kenyan police to Haiti - Whitman clarifies

US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman has clarified that her country did not send Kenyan Police to help stabilise Haiti.

Speaking on Tuesday, Whitman said that it was the international community that asked Kenya to lead the Multinational Security Support Mission.

She went on to say that the US has only supported the mission financially.

She said the US is also helping in fundraising to support the mission.

“We did not send Kenyan police to Haiti, it was the international community that asked Kenya to do this and if I say they are very grateful. We have however provided financial support of $100 million and equipment and then others are joining in,” Whitman said on Citizen TV.

On why US troops are not part of the Haiti mission, the Ambassador noted that the US does not get directly involved in all unstable situations.

She said this was one case where they decided not to send any troops.

“We don’t put boots on the ground in every instance, this is one where we decided not to.”

Whitman, however, stated that the international community is very pleased with the decision of Kenya to lead the mission.

She added that Kenyan police are working closely with Haitian National police they have so far done well.

“The international community is very grateful to Kenya for agreeing to lead the Multinational Security support mission into Haiti. They arrived around the middle of June and I have to say it's going very well.

“The Haitian National Police are working very closely with the Kenyan Police. They have done a very nice job and the Commander on the ground is doing a very nice job.”

The government of Kenya sent the first batch of 1,000 police officers to Haiti, to help stabilise the country that was almost completely overrun by gangs.

President William Ruto flagged off the first group of 400 officers on June 24, this year.

The second team went on July 16, 2024.