On Monday, The United Nation Security Council approved the deployment of 1000 Kenyan troups to Haiti to lead a multinational force against gangs violence. What does Kenya stand to gain in all this?
Haiti Prime Minister welcomed the decision by the UN by saying, “The Haitian people say thank you very much to the Security Council and the Secretary-General of the United Nations,”
Sending her forces to Haiti gives Kenya a very serious political capital on the global stage making kenya to be viewed as an ally that will offer help when needed according to Dismas Mokua
The forces that will be sent to Haiti will also get specialised training improving skill capacity in the long run. The troops will also be given extra allowances, and better wages during and after the mission in the Caribbean country.
Apart from the political capital and allowances, financially, The United States has pledged to support the mission up to the total of $100M. Canada has also offered funding. Therefore kenya stands to gain much financially in a bid to rise from the economic instability that has been experienced in the country in the recent past.
The Kenyan troops will also be equipped with the latest military equipments that will help the Kenyan force in general both in the short term and in the long term thus increasing her muscular strength against her neighbours in the East African and Africa in general
The gang violence has caused havoc as over 3000 homicides and more than 1500 kidnappings between January and September this year. This has forced over 200,000 people out of their homes according to the United Nation thus triggering the international community to send help.
The question remains as to whether the kenyan led team will be able to conquer where the past missions have failed. Language barrier and terrain being some of the challenges that the troops will face in the country