President William Ruto was confronted by a police officer in Haiti on Saturday, September 21, 2024, during his visit to the Kenyan officers in the country.
During a question and answer session with the security officers, an officer put Ruto to task after asking him about the fate of the officers in the event that they get seriously injured or die during the mission.
“Sir, there is one concern about the compensation, which we have never known. In case of anything, what is going to happen? Until now we are not aware,” the policeman, identified as P. W. Amonya asked.
In response, Ruto stated that the officers had their initial employment insurance signed during their employment with the police service and that he was unaware of additional insurance covers for the officers in the faraway nation.
Ruto responds
“You already have a cover in Kenya; an insurance cover under the National Police Service. You will be informed of any additional covers that may be necessary,” Ruto stated.
This comes just weeks after a Kenyan officer was shot in the shoulder by gangs in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince.
In the July 30, 2024, incident, the Multinational Security Support Mission commander Godfrey Otunge narrated that the officers were patrolling a hospital in the capital when they noticed that members of a gang had attacked a lorry and shot the driver.
The officer intervened as the gang members looted bags of rice from the lorry when he got shot. Otunge, however, assured that the officer was upbeat and in stable condition.
“The patrol team immediately engaged the gangs after they started shooting at them. One Kenyan contingent sustained a gunshot injury on the shoulder in the process and was evacuated to Life Support Area (LSA) Hospital for management,” Otunge said.
Communication with families
In his statement to the police officers, Ruto thanked them for their efforts in restoring peace in the country. He also assured them that they would be allowed to communicate with their families back in Kenya.
“I trust that the arrangements to facilitate your communication with your families are in place and serving you well. I am aware that the support team back home in Nairobi has worked hard to ensure that your needs are met, and I am assured that they will continue to do their best to enable you to also do your best.
“We shall also take every possible measure to maintain a positive spirit and facilitate your success as you take part in the MSS,” Ruto assured.
