US calls for swift deployment of Kenya police to Haiti

The United States is calling for the rapid deployment of Kenyan police forces to Haiti following the killing of three missionaries in the troubled Caribbean nation.

The appeal was made on Friday after the non-profit organization, Missions in Haiti Inc., reported that three of its missionaries, including an American couple, were killed by gunmen on Thursday night in Port-au-Prince, the nation’s capital.

The missionaries were ambushed by gunmen as they left a church.

The killings, which sparked a huge outcry, came amid escalating violence in Port-au-Prince, which is largely under the control of gangs that continue to unleash deadly attacks across the city.

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They also coincided with a meeting between President William Ruto and his American counterpart Joe Biden in Washington, DC, which focused on, among other things, the much-delayed deployment.

“The security situation in Haiti cannot wait,” a spokesperson for the National Security Council said on Friday, adding that Biden had pledged support on Thursday to expedite the mission.

“Our hearts go out to the families of [the missionaries] killed as they experience unimaginable grief,” the spokesperson added.

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Among those killed are Missouri State Representative Ben Baker’s daughter Natalie Lloyd, 21, and son-in-law, Davy Lloyd, 23, who were full-time missionaries.

Lloyd is the son of Missions in Haiti Inc.’s founders, David and Alicia Lloyd.

The third victim has been identified as Jude Montis, a 20-year-old Haitian.

Kenya has pledged to deploy up to 2,500 police officers to the UN-backed mission, which is being largely financed by the US, to combat the street gangs.

The first group of 200 officers was expected in Haiti this week, but Reuters, citing two unnamed sources, reported on Thursday that the mission has been delayed.