Kenya and the Dominican Republic on Tuesday, May 13, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that would see Kenyan police officers in Haiti receive medical evacuation services, repatriation, and logistical access in Dominican territory.
Through a statement, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi disclosed the new development, terming it a major milestone in the ongoing Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM), which Kenya currently leads.
“As part of the official visit to the Dominican Republic, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Musalia Mudavadi held the first political consultations with the Foreign Minister of the Dominican Republic, Roberto Alvarez, in Santo Domingo,” the PCS stated.
“The political consultations culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Medical Evacuation, Repatriation of Wounded Persons and Bodies, and Logistical Access to the Dominican territory of Kenyan Members of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti,” he added.
In the new agreement, Kenyan police officers who get injured in combat will receive priority access to the Caribbean nation, medical attention, and repatriation where necessary.
Unofficially, Kenyan forces injured while in combat in Haiti have been receiving medical attention in the Dominican Republic, with Minister Alvarez revealing that the current number of officers to receive medical care stands at 20.
“We are deeply satisfied to have provided medical care to about 20 MSS members, offering them the respectful, dignified, and compassionate care they deserve for their exemplary courage and sacrifice in support of a brotherly nation and regional security,” Alvarez noted.
For his part, Mudavadi noted that the move was key to establishing evacuation protocols and ensuring the safety and well-being of Kenya’s personnel in Haiti.
On the other hand, the two countries also affirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, disclosing plans to open embassies in Nairobi and Santo Domingo.
To that effect, Kenya and the Dominican Republic revealed that another MoU had been signed to facilitate diplomatic training between the two nations.
“Their Excellencies also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Diplomatic Training for cooperation and exchange between the Institute of Higher Education on Diplomatic and Consular Training of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Foreign Service Academy of the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Kenya,” the statement read.
During his official visit to the Caribbean nation, Mudavadi will also hold meetings with the President, Senate President, Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General, Minister of Public Health, and Minister of Industry and Commerce.
