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President William Ruto on Monday flagged off the first 400 cohort of police officers for the United Nations Peace Mission in Haiti.

He expressed confidence the contingent, together with others from contributing countries, will help in returning lasting peace in the conflict-ravaged Haiti.

Speaking at the National Police College, Embakasi Campus in Nairobi, Ruto told the officers that they were selected for the peace mission on the basis of integrity, professionalism and capabilities.

He handed the peace mission the Kenyan flag during the event attended by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, President’s National Security Advisor Monica Juma, Inspector-General Japhet Koome and Deputy Inspectors-General of Police Douglas Kanja and Noor Gabow.

“The mission is one of the most urgent, important and historic in the history of global solidarity. It is a mission to affirm the universal values of the community of nations, a mission to take a stand for humanity,” President Ruto said.

Pointing out that the people of Haiti were the first to liberate their land from slavery and colonialism, the President, however, said their freedom was short-lived as it was undermined by forces that sabotaged the progress.

Criminal gangs

He said: “We will support and pray for you. As a country, we respect the rule of law, freedom and democracy.  This is why we want you to help the people of Haiti achieve these values that they have been denied by criminal gangs.”

He said Haiti has faced continuous onslaught by external and internal forces, causing instability, leading to the loss of thousands of lives, extinguishing countless dreams and depriving millions of basic social services.

This has subjected millions to harrowing poverty, hardship, and disease, he said. “Currently, Haiti is torn apart by vicious gang violence, which has diminished the State’s capacity to function and provide essential services.

Development cannot take place under these conditions and, if nothing is done, millions of children, women and men will continue to suffer without the prospect of relief,” the President said.