Kenya to lead Haiti mission once new govt in place: Ruto

Nairobi: President William Ruto said on Wednesday he had reassured the United States that Kenya would lead a multinational mission to tackle spirallin...

Nairobi: President William Ruto said on Wednesday he had reassured the United States that Kenya would lead a multinational mission to tackle spiralling violence in Haiti once a presidential council was set up in the Caribbean nation.

The East African country announced Tuesday it was putting on hold plans to send police to gang-ridden Haiti, throwing the future of the UN-backed mission in doubt.

The move came after Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry said he had agreed to step aside in a bid to staunch worsening violence that has left public services shattered, many people displaced and bodies strewn in the streets.

Ruto said he spoke with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken over the developments and underscored Kenya's commitment to the mission.

"He informed me that a new presidential council will be formed shortly to manage the situation in Haiti," Ruto said on social media.