Kenyan President William Ruto and U.S. President Joe Biden have pledged to lead a multinational effort to decisively confront the gangs that have plunged Haiti into chaos, amid questions about prioritizing domestic security challenges in Kenya’s bandit-prone regions.
In a joint press conference at the White House, the two leaders defended their commitment to deploy Kenyan forces as part of a United Nations-backed multinational mission to Haiti, asserting that the crisis in the Caribbean nation demands a collective global response.
“Gangs and criminals do not have nationalities, they have no religion, they have no language,” said President Ruto. “Their language is one to deal with them firmly, decisively within the parameters of the law, and that’s why we are building a coalition of nations beyond Kenya and the U.S.”
President Biden echoed Ruto’s sentiment, stating, “We think we can deal with this way with a multinational approach, with Haiti leading the way and U.S. providing intelligence as well as equipment.”
However, Ruto faced domestic scrutiny from Kenyan journalists over the deployment of security forces abroad while parts of Kenya grapple with banditry and school closures due to insecurity. One reporter questioned the “irony” of committing resources to Haiti when “our own home is on fire.”
Addressing these concerns, Ruto highlighted ongoing efforts to address the banditry crisis in regions like Baringo, West Pokot, and Turkana, including the deployment of 3,000 military officers and 2,000 police personnel. He said 20 schools have been reopened and 15 renovated in the affected areas.
“I made a commitment to the people of Kenya to sort out insecurity in the north Rift. I have followed that with action,” Ruto said, adding that Kenya’s international peacekeeping efforts are a “responsibility” as a “global citizen.”
The leaders also discussed the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with Biden commending Kenya’s troop deployment to the region and the U.S. providing $375 million in aid this year.
On debt relief and climate financing for developing nations, Biden outlined U.S. efforts, including enabling $21 billion in new lending resources to the IMF’s concessional lending trust fund for the poorest countries.
As the press conference unfolded, the leaders sought to project a united front in addressing global security challenges while acknowledging domestic priorities – a delicate balance that will be closely watched as the Haiti mission unfolds.
