Wanjigi Accuses Ruto of Self-Interest in Haiti Deal
Safina Party leader Jimi Wanjigi has condemned President William Ruto for finalizing a security agreement with Haiti to send 1,000 Kenyan police officers to the tumultuous Caribbean nation.
This move comes amidst escalating violence and gang conflicts in Port-au-Prince, the capital.
In a statement released on Sunday, March 3rd, Wanjigi criticized the agreement as “callous, selfish and disappointing” highlighting Ruto’s apparent disregard for the well-being of both Kenyans and Haitians alike.
“Kenyans are struggling to afford something as basic as a meal and school fees. The so-called bottom-up economic model has become bottom-down. In this day and age, how do we as a country lose 53 lives to banditry?” Wanjigi said.
Wanjigi’s remarks were in reference to the recent onslaughts by armed bandits in Laikipia and Baringo counties, resulting in numerous casualties and the displacement of hundreds of individuals.
Additionally, Wanjigi accused Ruto of deploying Kenyan officers to a “war zone” in Haiti without adequate preparation and consultation.
“The government is at the same time busy deploying 1,000 police officers to Haiti for not peacekeeping but war. Since the Prime Minister of Haiti Ariel Henry has visited Kenya in reciprocation, Ruto should visit Haiti and see what the situation really is like before sending our officers there,” he said.
Expanding on his critique, Wanjigi blamed Ruto for the nation’s challenges, labeling him as the embodiment of the “status quo” and attributing to him the perpetuation of the same issues he played a role in creating.
He described Ruto as a “crafty leader” who employs his “deceptive skills” to disguise the same flawed policies that have failed the nation in the past.
“Never! Don’t forget, he was the author of the same horrible policies in the past regime. He continually breaks the law, as was evident with the unconstitutional housing levy,” he said.
Wanjigi encouraged Kenyans not to lose faith and to stand with him in the pursuit of genuine change.
“Fellow Kenyans, I understand and share in your pain. We have got a lot of challenges in our great country. But equally, we got enormous strengths. We are optimistic people. We beam daily with hope. We are known for our unrelenting fights for change. We have always shown a greater togetherness,” he noted.
“We are going to win our economic and financial security future. Don’t doubt. We won’t throw our hands and give up. We will not quit. I will not quit until real change is achieved in Kenya,” he added.
Wanjigi’s statement follows the occurrence where Ruto and Henry observed the signing of a security agreement between the two nations on Friday, March 1st, at State House, Nairobi.
Ruto emphasized that the agreement reflects Kenya’s dedication to participating in a multinational effort aimed at restoring peace and stability in Haiti.
“I take this opportunity to reiterate Kenya’s commitment to contribute to the success of this multi-national mission. We believe this is a historic duty because peace in Haiti is good for the world as a whole,” Ruto said.
Henry expressed gratitude to Ruto and Kenya for offering to lead a security mission in Haiti, a nation gripped by political turmoil, social unrest, and gang violence.
However, the security deal has stirred controversy and drawn criticism from various quarters, raising questions about its legality, feasibility, and moral implications.
On Thursday, March 2nd, Haiti’s capital was paralyzed by heavy gunfire, resulting in the deaths of at least four police officers as a prominent gang leader declared intentions to capture the country’s police chief and government ministers.
This violence coincided with Henry’s absence, as he was in Kenya finalizing details for deploying a foreign armed force to assist Haiti in combating gangs.
Gunmen targeted Haiti’s main international airport and other locations, including police stations, in a sudden wave of violence that caught many off guard.
At least four police officers, including two women, were killed in an attack on a station near the Canaan community, as reported by a police union.
The violence prompted the closure of the airport, businesses, government agencies, and schools, with parents and young children fleeing in panic through the streets.
In Other News: Raila Odinga Criticizes Mt Kenya Leaders For Bemoaning Burdensome Taxes On Farmers
Wanjigi Accuses Ruto of Self-Interest in Haiti Deal
