The United States Ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, has issued a formal apology over the delayed allowances for Kenyan police officers deployed to Haiti. This apology comes amid growing concerns and revelations from the officers’ families about the financial hardships they are facing due to the pay delays.
The situation became public knowledge after relatives of the Kenyan police officers highlighted that their loved ones had not received their pay nearly three months after their deployment to Haiti. These officers were sent as part of a UN peacekeeping mission aimed at restoring stability in the troubled Caribbean nation.
In an interview with Citizen TV on Tuesday, Ambassador Whitman expressed her shock upon learning through media reports that the Kenyan peacekeepers had yet to receive their remuneration. She promptly apologized and assured that the issue would be resolved by the end of the week. “I was not aware of that until I saw the same report you did in the newspaper,” Whitman stated. “I have been checking with our people back in Washington DC, and what I understand is that they will get their remuneration on Thursday or Friday of this week.”
Whitman’s remarks highlighted a significant lapse in the financial management of the peacekeeping mission. “That was unacceptable, that should not have happened. They should have gotten their remuneration from the day they landed in Haiti. So that was an error by omission or… I’m not sure exactly what happened, but we will make sure that is made right,” she added.
The apology and assurance from the U.S. Ambassador followed a statement by Acting Inspector General of Police, Gilbert Masengeli. He confirmed that the delayed payments would be made within the week and assured that measures would be put in place to prevent such issues in the future.
The delay in payments has had serious repercussions for the families of the Kenyan officers. Reports from Kenya indicate that many families are struggling financially, with some unable to afford basic necessities or even school fees for their children. This situation has added to the pressure on the U.S. to rectify the payment issues promptly.
The U.S. was tasked with overseeing the financial aspects of the peacekeeping mission, including the remuneration of the troops and the deployment of necessary equipment. This responsibility followed a significant commitment made two months ago when U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken ordered the release of Ksh14.1 billion to support the Haiti mission. This amount was intended to cover not only the operational costs but also the remuneration for the Kenyan peacekeepers.
Despite the financial hiccups, the Kenyan contingent in Haiti has been performing its duties effectively. Kenya has so far deployed 394 police officers to Haiti, with plans to deploy a total of 1,000 officers. These peacekeepers, drawn primarily from the General Service Unit (GSU), Border Patrol, and Special Units, have been instrumental in maintaining peace and security in Haiti, which has been plagued by violent criminal gangs and political instability.
However, the peacekeepers are facing numerous challenges, including the need for advanced equipment to help reclaim territories from criminal gangs. The delays in payment and logistical support have compounded the difficulties faced by the Kenyan officers, who continue to work under challenging conditions.
The current situation underscores the critical need for efficient management and timely execution of financial arrangements in international peacekeeping missions. As the U.S. addresses the pay delays and works towards resolving the issues, it is imperative that robust systems are established to ensure that such lapses do not recur in the future.
In conclusion, while the apology from Ambassador Whitman and the promise of forthcoming payments are steps in the right direction, there remains a pressing need for systemic improvements to support the brave men and women serving in conflict zones. Their sacrifices for global peace and stability deserve timely and fair compensation, reflecting their essential role in international peacekeeping efforts.
