Haiti - FLASH : The first Kenyan contingent regroups for departure
Construction work on sites to accommodate the first Kenyan troops continues at good pace. During the delivery of equipment to improve the capacity of the Haitian National Police (PNH), the United States Ambassador to Haiti, Dennis Bruce Hankins, highlighted the support of the American Government in the construction of these sites.
According to Hankins, with the efforts of the American Government and the cooperation of the Haitian Government, before the end of May, all the conditions to welcome the first Kenyan contingents will be met. After Kenya, it will be the turn of troops from other countries to join the mission.
American Ambassador Hankins is convinced that from the first month of the deployment of troops from the PNH Support Mission, which aims to defeat armed gangs in the capital, there will be a big change in terms of palpable result However, he specifies that it is up to the Haitian Government to set its priorities.
According to the New York Times, some 400 men from two Kenyan paramilitary units, forming the first contingent, are currently regrouping in preparation for their departure for Haiti, accompanied by a support staff of around 100 people including doctors. No specific date has been made public for their arrival, but it is expected to happen this month.
The men received physical and weapons training from Kenyan and American security personnel, as well as detailed information on how Haitian gangs operate. They also took courses in French and human rights. They say they "can’t wait to be in Haiti."
