The Speaker of the National People's Power Assembly and President of the Council of State of Cuba, Esteban Lazo Hernández, is anticipated to visit Kenya to investigate the death of two Cuban doctors, Assel Herrera and Landy Rodriguez.
In a press release, it was revealed that Lazo will engage with top authorities in the country to clarify the media reports indicating that the medics died following an airstrike.
The two doctors who were working in Kenya had been kidnapped in 2019 by the Al Shabaab and taken to Somalia. Per media reports, the drone strike was launched by the US armed forces in Jilib where the doctors had been held.
In response, the United States African Command (AFRICOM) noted that the airstrike was aimed at the militia group. The team further revealed investigations were ongoing to determine whether civilians were harmed.
"We do not have further information at this time about these reports but we do take all claims of civilian casualties seriously," read part of a statement from AFRICOM.
However, the Caribbean nation noted that it was not disclosed whether the operation carried out by AFRICOM was justified or executed with the necessary care to prevent collateral damage and protect innocent civilians, or with adherence to International Humanitarian Law.
Meanwhile, since the reports emerged last week, the Cuban government has collaborated with other international partners to obtain conclusive information on what transpired in the case concerning the two doctors.
The government has reached out to the officials in Somalia to investigate the matter and share information on military operations in the East African country.
On Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba contacted the US government through diplomatic platforms, however, no response has been issued so far.
"So far there has not been a public declaration from the US government or its armed forces confirming the news concerning the kidnapped Cuban cooperation workers or denying the reports that have been published," read part of the press release from Cuba.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz Canel on Saturday, February 17, condoled with the family of the two doctors adding that the government was carrying out investigations.
"We will continue looking for them as long as there is no official confirmation that they have died," he stated.
Notably, Kenya entered into a health exchange programme with Cuba to meet the health needs and reduce the shortage of medics in the country in 2017. Former President Uhuru Kenyatta welcomed the team of 100 doctors specialising in cardiology, nephrology and neurosurgery among others.
Despite the opposition from local doctors to the recruitment of the foreign doctors, the government insisted that it was necessary to complement the current doctors.
However, in October 2023, Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha announced the government's plan to end the agreement with Cuba. She explained that the medical team in Kenya was well-equipped.
