United States President Joe Biden has ordered the release of Ksh7 billion ($60 million) for the Haiti mission shortly after the war-torn nation announced its new presidential transitional council.
The allocated funds will be used for acquiring military equipment and facilitating training for Kenyan police officers who are slated to participate in the multinational mission.
Biden's directive came moments after the formal announcement of the formation of a nine-member presidential transitional council which is set to take over following Prime Minister Ariel Henry's resignation.
Matthew Miller, the US Spokesperson for the State Department, confirmed the decision and extended a welcome on behalf of the United States regarding the formation of the transitional council.
"The United States is surging support for the Haitian security forces to bolster their capabilities as they fight to defend their country," he stated.
America's release of the Ksh7 billion did not however meet the promised threshold which was Ksh39 billion ($300 million) to facilitate the whole project.
According to reports, the move by the United Nations and the United States to set up a trust fund to raise funds for the mission has faced hurdles as only $10.8 million has been collected despite pledges of assistance from several nations.
It is also worth noting that the US Congress had initially blocked the release of the funds as they demanded clarification on the details of the mission.
The legislators also expressed concerns about whether Kenyan courts would allow the deployment.
Meanwhile, President William Ruto on Saturday, April 13, welcomed the formal establishment of Haiti's Presidential Transitional Council.
In his statement, the head of state noted that the move 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.
"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 added.
