Russian Junior Diplomat Schools Kenya’s Top Diplomat On Haiti

Nairobi, Kenya – October 6, 2025 — Kenya’s top diplomat, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Dr Korir Sing’oei, was left embarrassed after a Russian junior envoy publicly corrected his interpretation of a United Nations Security Council vote on Haiti.

The incident unfolded after Dr Sing’oei claimed the Council had “unanimously” approved the creation of a new Gang Suppression Force (GSF) to replace the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS), whose mandate expired on October 4.

In reality, Russia, China, and Pakistan had abstained from the vote, making it far from unanimous.

Russia’s First Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Dmitry Polyansky, seized the moment to correct the Kenyan official in a post on X, saying, “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.”

The GSF, created under Resolution 2793 (2025), will deploy 5,500 police and military personnel supported by a UN Technical Office responsible for logistics and resource mobilisation.

It has a “robust mandate” to conduct intelligence-led counter-gang operations aimed at neutralising and deterring armed groups in Haiti, which continues to grapple with gang violence and political instability.

Dr Sing’oei had welcomed the move, describing it as “a strong signal of international resolve to restore peace and stability in Haiti,” but his misstatement on the vote exposed a gap in understanding of UN procedures.

At the Security Council, a unanimous resolution means approval by all 15 members, including the five permanent members with veto powers — the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom.

Abstentions signal reservations, meaning the resolution passes but is not unanimous.

Russia and China have long opposed foreign-led security missions in Haiti, warning against what they term “external interference” and “failed interventions.”

This is not the first time Dr Sing’oei has faced diplomatic embarrassment. In February, he apologised after posting a fake video of CNN anchor Fareed Zakaria praising President William Ruto’s diplomacy — a clip later confirmed as a deepfake.

“I regret any confusion this may have caused,” he said, promising to “go to school on AI stuff” through a new training programme at the Foreign Service Academy.

In June, the PS drew more criticism for defending police actions during anti-government protests by sharing videos of violent crackdowns in other countries, which many saw as justifying local brutality.

The latest exchange with the Russian diplomat has reignited debate about Kenya’s diplomatic communication and the competence of its top officials in representing the country on the global stage.