Hello and welcome to the Friday edition of the Evening Brief Newsletter where a former US diplomat has directed his first blow at President William Ruto in the Haiti Ring.
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The Presidential Blow
As the world awaits the much anticipated Kenyan mission to Haiti, Dan Foote, a former US Special Envoy for Haiti has poked holes in President Willian Ruto's plan.
Speaking during an interview with CNN, Foote expressed that Ruto was only interested in the financial gain from the exercise.
He asserted that there were billions of shillings in the offing for Kenya with countries like the United States pledging to support the mission.
"I believe that this is more of a cash grab by President Ruto whose country will receive a lot of money for doing this," the diplomat opined.
According to the diplomat, 1,000 officers would be insufficient to deal with the gun-toting gangs that have on numerous occasions cautioned foreign countries against meddling in their business.
Foote opined that a serious mission would need more than 20,000 specialised troops.
"The Haitians are well armed and if the international community imposes this Caricom government contract, they are going to fight the Kenyans to the death," he stated.
"1,000 isn't going to cut it and while they have commitments for double or triple that, that's still not going to cut it. Every time there has been a military intervention in Haiti in the past 20 years, it's had a minimum of 20,000 troops or police going in there," he added.
Meanwhile, Kenya is awaiting a transition government to be put in place before the 1,000 officers can be deployed.
Kenya is also expected to send a reconnaissance mission to gather intelligence on the situation on the ground before an official deployment is made.
Haiti in Numbers
10.8 million - Population in Haiti
200 - Estimated armed gangs
2,439 - People who died in gang violence between January & August 2023
1,000 - Police officers Kenya will deploy to Haiti
$100 million - Amount Biden administration pledged for Kenyan-led mission
Ksh8.7 million - Amount Canada pledged to support the Kenyan-led mission
Guess Who?
Can you guess who said these words?
"I saw in the State House budget that you have added 4 billion to take tea. Is it Jesus cooking that tea?" Who said these words?
To find the correct answer, simply scroll down as you read this newsletter.
Kindiki to The Rescue
700,000 workers can breathe a sigh of relief after the Ministry of Interior and National Administration's Ad Hoc Appeals Committee ordered the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) to reinstate the licences of nine private security firms.
The nine companies had been deregistered by the government body owing to the contentious Ksh30,000 minimum salary for security officers.
The Ad Hoc committee noted that the orders that were issued by the body were null and void.
Owing to the revocation of licences and the order to raise the salaries, security firms had noted that 700,000 employees would be rendered jobless by the move.
“PSRA has been disregarding the law and demonstrating impunity through illegal pronouncements. The law remains supreme. This order is a key win for private security guards and the companies whose licenses had been revoked
“Thousands of private security guards whose jobs were on the line have been saved by this order,” The Protective and Safety Association of Kenya (PROSAK) stated.
Weekly Kenyans.co.ke Quiz
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Take our quiz and test how well you understood the week's most important stories.
Here are the other top 5 stories for the day;
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah survives another attack on his life after armed goons trailed him shortly after leaving Busia Law Courts.
The government mulls over integrating KRA systems with those of telecommunication companies in a move to boost revenue.
End of Kenya Power Monopoly? Find out how MPs want to protect consumers.
KNEC warns parents that some Form Four students could miss the national exams in November. Here why?
No retreat! No surrender! Doctors give way forward after meeting with the Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei.
The Guess Who Answer
The answer is Catherine Omanyo. Omanyo, who serves as Busia Woman Representative, raised the matter as part of her argument in Parliament on Wednesday.
This newsletter was written by Washington Mito and edited by Brian Muuo.
Derrick Kubasu contributed to the content.
Graphics prepared by Adongo Kyalo and Ronnie Mbugua.
