Haiti mission operating without all necessary equipment - Mudavadi

While meeting the Dominican Republic Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez in Santo Domingo on Tuesday, the two said that the mission will achieve greater success if the officers are furnished with better equipment and logistical support.

They therefore called on the international community to fulfill their pledged contributions and even increase them to enable the mission to operate at its full capacity.

The talks also led to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Medical evacuation, Repatriation of Wounded, and Deceased Persons, Access to Dominican Territory for Kenyan Members of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti.

PCS Mudavadi said the agreement will ensure the safety and well-being of Kenya's personnel in the war-torn Caribbean nation.

While lauding the agreement, Minister Álvarez said that the move has so far allowed 20 MSS soldiers to access medical attention and compassionate care in the Dominican Republic.

They also signed an MOU on Diplomatic Training for cooperation and exchange between the Institute of Higher Education in Diplomatic and Consular Training of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic and the Foreign Service Academy of the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Kenya. 

The Kenyan police in Haiti have faced security risks as gangs continue to wreak havoc in major cities, including the capital Port-au-Prince. 

With nearly 800 Kenyan officers deployed to quell the insecurity in Haiti, at least two have been reported death, and some have been injured. 

The mission, which is in its second year now, has received support from the United Nations and the United States of America. 

In his recent visit to Washington D.C, PCS Mudavadi held talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio who reaffirmed U.S. support for Kenya’s leadership in the Haiti MSS and other initiatives to support regional stability and democratic governance.