Kenya, Dominican Republic seal pact to boost Haiti Mission support
The signed Memorandum of Understanding provides for medical evacuation, repatriation of the wounded and deceased, and access to Dominican territory for logistical operations by Kenyan personnel.
Kenya and the Dominican Republic have signed a critical agreement that will give Kenyan police officers in Haiti access to medical evacuation, repatriation, and logistical support through Dominican territory, as Kenya pushes for better support for its personnel leading the Haiti Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who also serves as Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, led Kenya’s delegation in Santo Domingo for the first-ever political consultations between the two countries. The talks, held with Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez, focused on security cooperation, with both sides calling on the international community to fulfil and scale up their contributions to the Haiti mission.
More To Read
- State moves to sign pacts on medical evacuation, territorial access for Kenyan police officers in Haiti
- Where is Benedict Kabiru? Family of missing police officer in Haiti demands answers 37 days later
- Cabinet okays establishment of Kenyan consulate in Haiti
- First contingent of 400 Kenyan police officers set to return home after year-long deployment in Haiti
- UN Security Council to deliberate on proposal to delay transition of Haiti Mission to peacekeeping
- One officer killed, two others injured in Kenya’s ongoing Haiti mission, CS Murkomen confirms
“Our officers have been operating without the necessary equipment and support, yet they continue to put their lives on the line. This agreement ensures that their safety and well-being are not overlooked as they help restore order in Haiti," Mudavadi said.
The signed Memorandum of Understanding provides for medical evacuation, repatriation of the wounded and deceased, and access to Dominican territory for logistical operations by Kenyan personnel. Mudavadi emphasised the move was essential given the growing threats in Port-au-Prince and other gang-plagued cities, where nearly 800 Kenyan officers are deployed.
Minister Álvarez praised Kenya’s leadership of the MSS mission and revealed that the Dominican Republic has already provided medical care to 20 officers. “This is a genuine show of commitment to those risking their lives to bring stability to a brotherly nation,” he said.
The two leaders raised concerns over the delay in global contributions, which has hampered the mission’s ability to operate at full strength. They stressed the urgency of transforming the MSS into a hybrid mission with predictable logistical and operational support under UN oversight.
Mudavadi also highlighted the loss of Kenyan lives in Haiti, with at least two officers reported dead and several others injured. “We cannot ask for courage from our officers without ensuring they have the tools and backing they need to succeed,” he said.
In addition to the security pact, Kenya and the Dominican Republic signed a second MoU focused on diplomatic training and cooperation between their foreign service academies.
The MSS mission, now in its second year, has backing from the United Nations and the United States. In a recent trip to Washington DC, Mudavadi met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who reaffirmed America’s support for Kenya’s role in the Haiti mission and broader efforts to strengthen regional peace and democratic governance.
“This partnership shows the power of collaboration. We stand together with the Dominican Republic and the global community to make peace possible in Haiti,” Mudavadi said.
Top Stories Today
