Ruto to visit Kenyan forces in Haiti as he heads to New York

President William Ruto is expected to visit Haiti on Saturday morning, where he will receive a formal diplomatic welcome, according to a statement from the Haitian government reported by the Miami Herald on Friday.

The visit follows the deployment of Kenyan forces to Haiti, intended to lead a multinational contingent supporting the Haitian police. However, the mission has faced logistical challenges and budget overruns, prompting the United States — which is the primary financier — to consider new approaches at the United Nations in recent weeks.

In Port-au-Prince, Ruto is expected to meet with the Kenyan police contingent stationed in the gang-ridden country, engaging with them ahead of his visit to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

This stopover is part of Ruto’s journey to New York, where he is scheduled to attend the UNGA. Interestingly, his official itinerary, released by State House, Nairobi, did not mention the visit to Haiti.

In his address to the General Assembly on Thursday, President Ruto is expected to highlight the global community’s inaction regarding the ongoing crisis in Haiti.

Kenya is leading the multinational force, despite being poorly equipped, intending to restore stability in the Caribbean nation.

While Kenya has taken on this leadership role, UN member states have yet to provide substantial funding or support for the mission, with the United States being the only nation to commit millions of dollars.

Ruto is anticipated to call on world leaders to contribute troops, financial resources, and equipment to bolster the force and tackle the growing crisis in Haiti.