Kenya will receive KSh 14 million from America for its role in stabilising Haiti in a joint mission to the region.
On Monday, Defense Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale signed a five-year collaboration deal with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
This agreement solidified the discussed agreement which includes sending a Kenyan force to Haiti.
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Secretary Austin’s deal with Kenya
Consequently, this agreement has unlocked a funding pledge of Ksh 14.6 billion which is around $100 million from the United States.
Additionally, the pledge comes with four other benefits, including intelligence, airlift, communications, and medical support for the mission.
The deal, signed at State House, is expected to enhance Kenya’s defence preparedness in the fight against global terrorism.
During the signing ceremony in Nairobi, Secretary Austin emphasized the significance of the U.S. strategic partnership with Kenya.
Austin would go on ahead to praise Kenya’s leadership in addressing security challenges in the region and globally, particularly in countering al-Shabaab.
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Austins Promise
He also stated, “We intend to work with the United States Congress to provide up to KSh 14 million in support.”
Nevertheless, Austin continued “We urge others in the international community to follow Kenya’s great example.
He continued “and to step up to provide more personnel, equipment, support, training, and funding.”
Consequently, Secretary Duale mentioned that Kenya is awaiting approval from the United Nations for the mission in Haiti,
Additionally, Kenya has pledged to lead an international mission by deploying 1,000 boots to Haiti as a starter.
Moreover, these Peacekeepers will collaborate with Haiti’s 10,000 officers to restore order in a country where gangs have taken control.
Nonetheless, due to the escalated state of things, hundreds of thousands of citizens have been left destitute.
The situation has aggressively surged, with Haitian gangs threatening resistance and control over the region.
With much uncertainty, it is anyone’s guess how the Kenyan peacekeepers might affect the state of things in Haiti.
