Mudavadi off to Dominican Republic, to sign agreements for Haiti operations

Kenya will seek to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Dominican Republic to support the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti.

Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who has been on a visit to United States will head to the Dominican Republic capital Santo Domingo to hold talks with the leadership of the Caribbean nation between May 11-13.

“In Santo Domingo, Mudavadi will sign MOUs on Medical evacuation, Repatriation of Wounded, and Deceased Persons, Access to Dominican Territory for Kenyan Members of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti,” said Mudavadi’s office in a brief sent to newsrooms.

Kenya police in Haiti have faced security risks as gangs continue to wreak havoc in major cities, including the capital, Port-au-Prince.

With nearly 800 Kenyan officers deployed to quell the insecurity in Haiti, at least two have been killed and some are nursing injuries.

Concerns of equipment failures have also been raised as the officers attribute the injuries to inadequate equipment.

In the April incident, the officers said twenty armored vehicles had been grounded.

This has prompted Kenya to seek agreements with the neighbouring DR for the evacuation of the injured personnel.

Some of those injured have in the past been evacuated through the DR but Kenya wants to make the process more formal.

The Haiti mission, which is in its second year now has received support from the United Nations and the United States of America.

The troops in Haiti are facing resistance from the criminal gangs in control of major areas.

More personnel are expected to be dispatched to the Caribbean nation in the coming days.

In his Washington D.C visit Mudavadi held talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio who reaffirmed U.S. support for Kenya’s leadership in the Haiti MSS and other initiatives to support regional stability and democratic governance.

While in the Dominican Republic, Mudavadi and his team also seek to sign an agreement between the Institute of Higher Education in Diplomatic and Consular Training of Dominican Republic and Kenya’s Foreign Service Academy.

Kenya plans to post the first consular general to Haiti next month. Former Deputy Inspector General of Administration Police Noor Gabow is set to report to Port-au-Prince and will also serve other regional countries.