Kenyan police salaries in Haiti to be paid this week, says Multinational Security Support Mission » Capital News

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 26 – The agency overseeing the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti reports that salaries of Kenyan police in Haiti will soon be paid.

This came after officers at the mission in Haiti complained that they have still not received their salaries under the UN-backed operation.

Yesterday marked two months since Kenyan police landed in Haiti to help stabilize the Caribbean country and rid it of criminal gangs.

The first team landed there on June 25, while the second team arrived a month later, on July 16.

The team and their relatives in Kenya have since reported that they have still not received the promised salaries.

The more than 400 officers already participating in the mission are still receiving their salaries as they were in Kenya.

Officials explained that each officer participating in the mission will earn a minimum of 100,000 shillings extra on top of the salary they receive as police officers in Kenya.

The Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti reported Monday that the money will be disbursed this week.

“The process of disbursement of salaries to the accounts of the MSSM officials has been completed and it is expected that it will be credited to their individual bank accounts shortly.”

“Looking ahead, a comprehensive mechanism has been put in place whereby payments are made promptly at the end of the month,” the mission said in a statement.

It was added that there is no cause for concern about the welfare of the MSS officials as the overall processes have been completed.

The MSSM is anchored in the Human Rights Due Diligence policy and the Trust Fund, which is facilitated on a voluntary basis by donor countries.

So far, many countries, including the US, have donated money to the fund, which is currently being processed.

“We are pleased to report that the relevant authority has acted expeditiously to put in place comprehensive mechanisms and a framework to operationalise the use of the Trust Fund,” the statement said.

The statement said that the Haitian National Police have achieved several milestones since the deployment of MSSM, despite still being in the deployment phase of the mission.

“MSSM continues to value existing welfare facilities, while other logistical facilities are being mobilized to make the mission a success.”

“MSSM officers have benefited from and continue to utilize the available communications and interactive systems that have enabled them to communicate with their loved ones back home,” the statement said.

The MSSM officers remain committed, patriotic and focused on the success of the mission because they believe and trust that their welfare concerns are being addressed by the entire leadership (Kenya, the Trust Fund Advisory Board and the MSSM).

The team received more equipment from France and the US last weekend.
At the same time, the war against gangsters in Haiti was well underway as more equipment, including armored vehicles capable of withstanding ambush, was received for use in operations.

The French government gave the Haitian National Police (HNP) a huge boost by delivering 24 APCs with gun turrets to the national port in Haiti.

The U.S. government, through the Department of Defense, has also delivered two Maxxpros with gun turrets to the commander of the MSSM forces, Godfrey Otunge. More are expected in the coming days.

Both the French and US governments have remained committed to their commitment and contributions to the MSSM in Haiti.

More equipment and vehicles are expected in the coming weeks as the first phase of deployment preparation nears completion.

Other major countries, such as the Bahamas and Jamaica, have indicated that they will soon be filming plays at the theatre.

Otunge warned the notorious gangs when he received the MaxxPros, saying their days are numbered and they must stop tormenting Haitians.

He said the ongoing joint patrols and training between the Kenyan special forces and the Haiti SWAT team has increased the synergy between the teams.

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