Strengthening Kenya and Haiti Diplomatic Relations
Prime Cabinet Secretary Dr. Musalia Mudavadi and PS Korir Sing’oei join artists on stage during the Harmony 4Haiti Concert and Cultural Festivals in August 2024.
Kenya's successful staging of the Harmony4Haiti Concert and Cultural Festival in August 2024 elevated the country's commitment to the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti. The festival was designed to foster collaboration and understanding by celebrating the interconnected, rich cultural heritage of Africa and Haiti.
The colourful festival took place on August 24, 2024, at the Uhuru Gardens in Lang'ata, Nairobi, and featured musical performances by Haitian and African artists; a theatrical play; a cultural exhibition of Haitian- African art, crafts, and cuisine; and panel discussion on Haiti-Africa relations. There were side workshops and seminars highlighting sustainable development and humanitarian aid all aimed at fostering cultural exchange and collaboration while strengthening Haiti's future stance.
The Harmony4Haiti Concert and Cultural Festival was graced by the Prime Cabinet Secretary (PCS) and Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Dr. Musalia Mudavadi who led dignitaries from both government and foreign missions in Kenya. The festival's significance to Kenya-Haiti diplomatic relations and Haiti-Africa unity was underscored by the Prime Cabinet Secretary, who noted that the event not only addressed local awareness gaps regarding Kenya's police deployment in Haiti but also demonstrated Kenya's courageous leadership in the global peace initiative. He expressed confidence that Haitians would ultimately experience the ‘Hakuna Matata’ peace.
President William Ruto has repeatedly underscored Kenya's commitment to global peace and stability through the MSS mission in Haiti observing that the MSS Mission continued to make significant progress supporting the Haitian government and maintaining security for Haitians. Kenya and Haiti established diplomatic ties in September 2023 and the country’s engagement in peace and stability efforts for Haiti through the MSS mission will galvanize bilateral relations between the two states. Haiti is significant to the African diaspora history; it is the first Caribbean nation and first American nation to abolish slavery. It attained independence in 1804, thereby inspiring freedom movements across Africa and the world.
The Kenyan contingent of Police officers has been participating in linguistic and intercultural workshops where they learn French and Haitian Creole; the languages of Haitian institutions and people.