A contingent of Kenyan Police officers have enrolled for French lessons as part of the logistical preparations for a multinational security deployment to Haiti, next year in January.
Speaking to the press on Tuesday in Nairobi, Foreign Affairs CS Dr. Alfred Mutua said the Kenyan security personnel will complement the efforts of the Haiti National Police Force currently battling criminal gangs wreaking havoc in the Caribbean nation.
”Kenya is one of the most successful and sought-after Nations for peacekeeping Missions as we play our part as a member of the family of nations,” Dr. Mutua said, adding that a majority of Haitians are in support of the Kenyan-led UN-backed intervention.
“It is because of Kenya’s stellar performance that the Government of Haiti requested Kenya to lead a Police Mission to help stabilise and bring order to their country.”
French and Haitian Creole are the two official languages in the gang-infested nation.
The exercise will enable Kenyan forces to better communicate with their Haitian counterparts and the general public as they seek to restore order in the country.
The Kenyan contingent, Dr. Mutua said will only deploy after a green light from the United Nations Security Council adding that the government of Kenya is actively pursuing discussions to secure necessary support for the proposed mission.
