Russian envoy corners PS Korir Sing'Oei on adoption of new Haiti mission

After the U.N Security Council authorized the new multinational Gang Suppression Force (GSF) to replace the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) on September 30, PS Sing'Oei took to X, welcoming the resolution but made a diction blunder.

"The unanimous adoption of Resolution 2793 (2025) last night by the UN Security Council is a welcome development in the pursuit of a more peaceful and secure Haiti," Sing'Oei wrote on October 1.

A swift rejoinder from Polyanskiy cornered Sing'Oei, clarifying that the resolution was not unanimously supported but was rather backed by dozens of countries.

"I have to respectfully correct our Kenyan brothers - the resolution wasn’t adopted unanimously, Russia, China and Pakistan abstained. We didn’t block this proposal with heavy hearts and only heeding to the pleas from Latin American and African countries. But we are afraid that the Council is being dragged into another adventure," Polyanskiy wrote on October 3.

This left many questioning whether Sing'Oei, a leader heading a critical docket responsible for merging international ties with Kenya, made a slight typo error or was not privy to the matter.

The transition, adopted by the United Nations Security Council, will now see the new force having a maximum of 5,500 uniformed personnel, including police officers and soldiers, serving for an initial period of 12 months.

The GFS will work in close collaboration with the Haitian National Police (HNP) and the Haitian Armed Forces (HAF) to conduct operations to neutralize gangs, provide security for critical infrastructure, and support humanitarian access.

The United States, also a sponsor of the resolution, highlighted the scale of the new mission when Ambassador Mike Waltz, “.... with this vote to transform the MSS mission to the new Gang Suppression Force, a mission five times the size of its predecessor and with a strengthened mandate to go after the gangs.”

Sing'Oei is however not new to making similar blunders on his online accounts, putting him on the hot seat and even attracting ridicule on his competence.

In February 2025, he was forced to apologise after unknowingly posting an AI-generated deepfake video on his official X account, which falsely depicted CNN journalist Fareed Zakaria discussing Kenya’s role in peace diplomacy in Sudan.

The fake video, designed to appear as a CNN broadcast, falsely featured journalist Fareed Zakaria discussing Kenya's involvement in the peace efforts.

In a statement on X, PS Sing'Oei acknowledged the mistake and addressed the backlash he faced on social media.

"I sincerely apologize for inadvertently posting an AI-generated video disguised as a genuine commentary from Fareed Zakaria of CNN on the search for peace in the Sudan conflict and Kenya’s role in it. I regret any confusion this may have caused and thank everyone who flagged the video as a deepfake," he stated.

He was also put to task in October 2024 when he was forced to justify the government’s decision following the controversial repatriation of four Turkish nationals, a move which attracted global condemnation.

PS Sing'Oei termed the move the “bigger good,” reiterating that the nation had to balance diplomatic principles and maintain mutual ties with other nations.

The PS underscored that the four Turks were facing grievous and treasonous charges and thus the need to repatriate them to ensure Kenya did not interfere with Turkey's internal affairs.

Human rights bodies, including the International Commission of Jurists and Amnesty International, questioned the government for the forceful repatriation of the individuals, saying that by so doing, Kenya had risked the lives of the four as they would certainly face political persecution or even death once they land back home.