President William Ruto on Saturday, April 13, announced the formal establishment of Haiti's nine-member Presidential Transitional Council.
According to Ruto, the decision was evidence of the collective courage and singular sacrifice of the Haitian Council of Cabinet to ensure that Haiti was a violent-free state.
"We look forward to the PTC moving with speed to appoint the Prime Minister and Cabinet," the head of state noted in his statement.
President Ruto further lauded the leadership of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) for its steadfast stewardship of the intense consultations that led to the establishment of a transitional council.
"Kenya expresses confidence that the new political leadership will lay a strong foundation for resolution of the crisis in Haiti, restoration of security, afford the Haitian people a political transition," Ruto stated.
The head of state noted that Kenya was in strong solidarity with Haiti and that it was ready to make its contribution within the framework elaborated in the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2699 of 2023.
Besides Ruto's acknowledgement, sources privy to the information noted the official notice did not name the new council members.
Reports further suggested that there was no announcement on the specific time frame for installing the council and replacing Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
While commenting on the matter, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei termed the move a watershed moment which would usher an end to gang violence that had claimed many lives.
On March 12, Ariel Henry stepped down following a crisis meeting between the 15-member Caribbean Community regional bloc.
"We acknowledge his resignation upon the establishment of a transitional presidential council and naming of an interim prime minister," stated Mohammed Irfaan Ali, the president of Guyana and chairman of CARICOM.
The meeting resolved to appoint a seven-member presidential panel that would pick a new interim prime minister.
On March 1, Kenya formalised the deployment of 1,000 police officers to the war-torn country. The deal was signed by Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki and the Haiti Security Minister at State House in Nairobi.
While speaking after sealing the deal, Ruto promised to help Haiti solve the gang problem as the two countries share the same origin.
