Daniel Foote, a former special United States envoy has sparked anger after his remarks about Kenya’s capacity to lead the multinational peace mission in Haiti.
Amid the uncertainty surrounding the planned mission in the war-torn Carribean nation, Foote-who previously served as the United States Special Envoy for Haiti from July to September 2021 was invited to give insights on Al Jazeera about the real situation awaiting Kenya.
During the interview, he commented on several aspects of the situation in Haiti including the White House’s priorities and stand regarding the latest developments.
However, it was his remarks depicting Kenya as incapable of leading the mission in Haiti that have left tongues wagging, with some Kenyans accusing him of disrespect.
Responding to a question on whether the US would be eventually forced to deploy its own forces in Haiti, Ambassador Foote stressed that only a country with stature of the US could lead such a mission in light of the gravity of prevailing situations.
According to him, any intervention in Haiti should be led by a country that has proven police and security capacity and even went on to describe Kenya as an “unproven third world country”.
“If the US or England, Germany, France, Britain, or the EU do not lead such a mission it will fail. You cannot ask the Kenyans to do it, they can’t keep Nairobi safe,” he stated in response to the questions raised in the Newshour.
“To be successful any intervention needs to be led by a country that is good at creating police and security capacity, not an unproven third world country.”
In reaction to the remarks, some Kenyans called out the former special envoy, accusing him of disrespect.
Also Read: From Police Officer to Gangster: Story of Haiti Gang Leader Barbecue
Digital strategist Pauline Njoroge posted the excerpt of the Al Jazeera interview and asserted that Kenya was largely a peaceful nation contrary to his remarks that local security authorities could not keep Nairobi safe.
“We are not a perfect country, but we are largely a peaceful one and, in most cases, our police officers try to do their best,” Pauline wrote on her X account.
An X user named Alex M. also commented on the excerpt, stating that “We are a first world country in Africa. And we are very proven”.
Why Foote resigned as Envoy to Haiti after four months
Ambassador Foote has been vocal on the violence currently rocking Haiti and has been invited to offer insights in international media.
As a distinguished career diplomat, Foote was appointed to be the US Special Envoy to Haiti in July 2021 after the death of President Jovenel Mose.
Also Read: Kenya Gives Way Foward on Police Deployment to Haiti After PM Exit
At the time, Foote was tasked to represent the United States’ interests in Haiti and even attended the state funeral accorded to President Mose on behalf of President Joe Biden.
But four months after his appointment, Foote resigned from his role in protest of the decision by the US to deport immigrants. Previously, Foote had served as the US Ambassador to Zambia but had to be recalled after a move by Zambian government to reject gay rights.
Since his resignation as the US envoy to Haiti, Foote has been on record criticizing the approach made by western nations to address the gang violence in the Carribean Island nation.
The Haiti mission has since been surrounded by uncertainties, with the latest developments indicating that the Kenyan government is set to put the plans on hold.
