Kenya’s involvement in Haiti, supported by the US, has sparked debate due to global geopolitical context and domestic challenges.
Ayub Abdikadir questioned the US’s rationale for Kenya’s involvement while ending its military engagements.
“Isn’t it ironic that while America is ending its forever wars in Afghanistan, the latest in 2021 under your leadership when you withdrew troops from Kabul, you’re committing Kenya to another foreign war 12,000 km away from Nairobi? I mean, why the discrepancy, why the dichotomy?” he asked President Biden.
President Biden responded with a distinction between the two situations, highlighting the unique challenges and strategic importance of stabilising Haiti.
“There’s a reason why Afghanistan has been known as the graveyard of Empires. The likelihood of anybody uniting Afghanistan is highly, highly, highly unlikely.
“Now, with regard to Haiti, Haiti is in an area of the Caribbean that is very volatile. There’s a lot going on in this hemisphere, and we’re in a situation where we want to do all we can without us looking like America, once again, is stepping over and deciding this is what must be done. Haitians are looking for help, as well as the folks in the Caribbean are looking for help,” he explained.
President Joe Biden during a joint press briefing at the White House on May 23, 2024
Biden emphasised the U.S.’s role in providing intelligence and logistical support rather than leading the intervention, highlighting the collaborative effort with Kenya’s first-rate capabilities.
President Ruto reinforced this perspective, asserting Kenya’s sovereign decision-making and commitment to global peace.
“We don’t find that the U.S. is committing Kenya because the U.S. cannot commit Kenya. I am the President of Kenya. It’s me to make that decision, and it’s the people of Kenya to commit their own troops using their own structures. We’ve gone through the processes in Kenya. Parliament has approved, we have a clear mandate, we have a clear framework,” Ruto stated.
Abdikadir then directed his attention to President Ruto, raising concerns about the prioritisation of international commitments over pressing domestic security issues, particularly the banditry in Kenya’s North Rift region.
He questioned, “Isn’t it an irony that you are putting out the fire in a faraway neighbour’s home when our own home is on fire?”
President Ruto responded by outlining the comprehensive measures taken to address domestic insecurity.
President William Ruto during a joint press briefing at the White House on May 23, 2024
“I made a commitment to the people of Kenya to sort out insecurity in the North Rift. I have followed that with action. As we speak, there are 3,000 military officers and 2,000 police officers in the North Rift.
“We have renovated the first 15 schools and completed them. We have reopened 20 schools that were closed in the North Rift, and that exercise is ongoing,” he detailed.
