President William Ruto on Tuesday called on the European Union to offer support to the Kenya police-led mission in Haiti following its approval by the Kenyan Parliament.
While making his inaugural speech as the Head of State at the EU Parliament in Strasbourg, Ruto rallied the lawmakers to offer more support to the mission that is aimed at stabilising the Caribbean nation that has been rocked by gang violence over the years.
While acknowledging that the countries had offered various support in terms of funding and manpower, Ruto highlighted that more needed to be done to make the operation a success.
On the other hand, the Head of State revealed that Kenya would continue playing a pivotal role in stabilising Somalia despite the multinational forces ending their operations in the country.
This, he noted, will be key in stabilising the region and containing the Alshabaab terror group.
"The situation in Haiti highlights the global nature of security challenges. Grounded in the United Nations resolutions, a multinational mission needs some 5,000 men and women to address the challenge posed by armed gangs.
"There is a clear need for international assurance for support. The support of the EU will be instrumental in bolstering the initiative, providing the necessary resources including legitimacy," he stated.
Regarding, the continent's debt burden, Ruto urged the EU to support proposed reforms to leading financial institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
For instance, he noted that many countries in Africa were facing debt burdens owing to what he described as a skewed borrowing structure which he said has made loans for African countries five more expensive than developed nations.
The Head of State also rallied companies and investors in Europe to invest in the renewal energy sector in Kenya and the continent highlighting the sector's potential to address economic challenges facing countries and to mitigate the effects of climate change.
For instance, he noted, Kenya would soon be completing the establishment of a green fertiliser factory adding that the country would also be exporting green hydrogen in the near future.
Green hydrogen can be used to fuel cars, airships, and spaceships.
