The Canadian government on Thursday, February 23, offered Ksh8.7 billion in funding to support the deployment of Kenyan officers to Haiti.
In a statement by Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, the initiative aims to bolster the peacekeeping mission and consequently curb the gang-based violence that has plagued the territory.
The funds are expected to enhance training, communication, and logistics, which will support the police officers in their mission.
"Canada's support will contribute to pave the way to more meaningful interventions to protect the people of Haiti and encourage Haitian-led efforts to restore peace and prosperity in the country," Joly stated.
Overall, the Canadian government offered Ksh13.3 billion to aid Haiti in its peace-initiative efforts including Ksh543 million for an anti-corruption program and Ksh488 million to improve security at the border.
Joly added that Canada remains committed to supporting Kenya and other international partners to restore peace in the region.
Haiti was thrust into war following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. The situation deteriorated after essential services such as health, justice, and politics became inaccessible to the public with the United Nations reporting that 5.5 million Haitian people require humanitarian assistance as of January 2024.
Last year, the United States government offered Ksh14 billion to back the Kenya police mission, praising Ruto's government for the bold initiative.
The move has, however, encountered multiple legal obstacles following a High Court ruling that blocked the deployment of Kenyan authorities, noting that the National Security Council and National Police Service lack powers to deploy police outside the country.
Despite the court ruling, President Ruto reaffirmed that the peacekeeping mission would continue.
Earlier in February, Haiti's government announced that an official agreement would be agreed upon by the Kenyan officials to guarantee the long-awaited deployment and set a deadline for the police authorities.
