President William Ruto on Thursday praised Haiti for installing a new Ruling Council following the official resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry on Wednesday, April 24.
Ruto confirmed that the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) would be a critical step in restoring political structure and governance within the troubled country.
He maintained his stance that Kenya was willing to send officers to support them in their transitional phase and restore peace amid conflict from terror gangs.
"The swearing-in of the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) today is a crucial step in the political transition of Haiti. The TPC has the singular task of moving speedily to re-establish key organs of the State critical to the restoration of law and order and necessary for the ushering of hope to all Haitians as prescribed by the Decree of April 12, 2024," he stated.
"In implementing the roadmap contained in this political accord, Kenya stands ready and willing-in concert with a broad alliance of nations in Africa and CARICOM- committed to Haiti's stability, to rapidly execute the security support infrastructure envisaged under UN Security Council 2699 (2023). Kenya assures the TPC of Haiti of its full support as it shepherds the country through this complex interregnum."
Ariel Henry signed his resignation letter on Wednesday, paving the way for TPC to take charge of Haiti. In the resignation letter, he reaffirmed that his decision came at a time when Haiti was on the brink of turmoil and chaos.
"Given the current state of affairs, this is the time was right for me to step down. We have served the nation in difficult times. I thank everyone who dared to face such challenges with me,” he stated with the letterhead emanating from Los Angeles.
“I sympathise with the losses and suffering endured by our compatriots during this period.”
In his place, the TPC appointed Michel Patrick Boisvert as acting prime minister who is tasked with chairing the council to reform the constitution and organise a presidential election before February 2026.
"Haiti, our country, finds itself at a crossroads, in search of ideal solutions to emerge from this multidimensional political crisis that has lasted too long," Boivert stated during the swearing-in ceremony on Thursday. "This day opens the prospect of a solution."
Following the installation of TPC, US officials led by Brian Nichols, assistant secretary of state for the Western Hemisphere, hailed the move as a crucial step in the formation of a new government.
Kenya had initially paused the deployment of 1,000 officers following Henry's resignation and would re-evaluate the mission until a new Haitian government was in place.
