Court stops deployment of Kenyan police officers to Haiti

By Peter Ochieng 

The High Court has temporarily slammed brakes on the planned deployment of Kenyan police to the Haiti security mission.

Kenya is expected to deploy 1,000 police officers to Haiti.

They will join police officers from other nations like Jamaica and Bahamas in tackling gangs that reportedly run 'the town' in the Caribbean nation.

However, that will have to wait until a case filed by Thirdway Alliance Kenya and two others is determined.

According to the petitioners, the constitution does not foresee the deployment of the Kenyan police service outside Kenya.

They insist that deployment of police officers or the forces outside Kenya is a matter of great public interest and importance, and can only be done in accordance with the provisions of the constitution.

"As a matter of international notoriety, there is currently no elected government in Haiti. Kenya does not have an Embassy in Haiti,” the court papers read in part.

"The respondents are playing with a sensitive and serious matter of security and behaving in a manner that suggests that they are not accountable to the people of Kenya for their decisions."

Justice Chacha Mwita issued conservatory orders against the impending police deployment for the Haiti mission.

The one year mission commences in January, 2024.

"That a conservatory order is hereby issued restraining the respondents from deploying police officers to Haiti or any other country until 24th October 2023."

Last week, the United Nations (UN) Security Council approved a yearlong multinational security mission for Haiti, led by Kenya.

A big section of politicians aligned to the ruling Kenya Kwanza Alliance have supported the move, while those in the opposition have voiced their opposition.