Haiti Prime Minister Garry Conille has arrived in Kenya for a four-day official visit.
Conille was received at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign & Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi and Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection Alfred Mutua.
In a statement after receiving Conille, Mudavadi revealed that the prime minister will engage in high-level bilateral talks with President William Ruto.
“It was my honour to receive and warmly welcome H.E. Dr Garry Conille, Prime Minister of the Republic of Haiti, upon his arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for a four-day official visit to Kenya,” Mudavadi stated.
Mudavadi says the talks with Ruto will be focused on strengthening ties between Kenya and Haiti, particularly on areas of mutual interest, including security cooperation and fostering partnerships that promote regional stability.
“During his visit, Prime Minister Conille will engage in high-level bilateral talks with H.E. President William Ruto, with a focus on strengthening the longstanding ties between Kenya and Haiti, particularly on areas of mutual interest, including security cooperation and fostering partnerships that promote regional stability,” Mudavadi stated.
“This visit by H.E. Dr. Conille represents a significant moment in the deepening of diplomatic relations between our two countries, with both Kenya and Haiti eager to explore new avenues for collaboration in economic development and security partnerships.”
MSS Haiti mission
This comes days after the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) extended the mandate of the Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti (MSS), led by Kenyan policemen, to October 2, 2025.
In a statement on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, MSS Force Commander Godfrey Otunge announced that more contributing countries have reaffirmed their commitment to support the MSS.
“The United Nations Security Council (UNSC), unanimously extended the mandate of MSS Mission to 2nd October 2025 under UNSCR 2751 (2024). MSS stakeholders, actors and Haitian population that include those in the diaspora, welcomed the decision that has seen a re-energized multinational force which is more than ready to combat gang violence in Haiti,” Otunge stated.
Otunge says the MSS, in collaboration with the Haiti National Police (HNP), have sustained both day and night joint patrols in Port-Au-Prince Communes with significant interest and priority at Tabarre, Delmas, Port-au-Prince, Cite Soleil, Croix-Des-Bouquets, Village Solidarite, La saline, the National Palace, Downtown, APN seaport area and the PNH School.
“More joint security operations will continue to ensure that Haitians go on with their businesses unhindered by the gangs whose only option is to down their weapons and surrender to the government to face legal actions,” Otunge added.
Gang attack in Haiti
The announcement follows a gang attack on Thursday, October 2, 2024, at Pont-Sonde in the Artibonite Department where several lives were lost.
CBS News reported that the attack in Pont-Sondé, about 64 kilometres from the capital Port-au-Prince, left 115 people dead and at least 16 others seriously wounded.
“To ensure that there is no repeat of the same, Prime Minister Garry Conille, the Director General Haitian National Police Normil Rameau and MSS Force Commander SAIG Godfrey Otunge promptly mobilized resources and personnel to Pont-Sonde to beef up security and maintain law and order,” Otunge announced.
“MSS is committed to the Haitian people and continues to call for their support as the perpetrators of these heinous acts are hunted down to ensure they face justice. More joint patrols will be sustained at Pont-Sonde.”
Otunge says operations will continue with a special focus on reopening key roads, ensuring security for key critical infrastructure, and pacifying key areas.
In his recent visit to Haiti, Ruto promised that his government would be sending more policemen to the country in coming weeks.