Kenyan police maybe walking into a gang war in Haiti - Atwoli

By Peter Ochieng 

Francis Atwoli is urging the government to consult widely, before deploying Kenyan police officers to Haiti.

The country is preparing to deploy 1,000 police officers to Haiti for a year-long security operation, starting January, 2024.

The operation which seeks to deal with gangs in the Caribbean nation, is backed by the United Nations (UN).

However, Atwoli, the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU-K) Secretary General  on Friday warned that Kenyan police officers may be walking straight into a gang war, if caution is not exercised.

“In its petition to COTU (K), TUCA, which is equally like COTU (K) an affiliate of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), cautions that the Kenyan Police force may be ‘walking into a gang war’ in Haiti bearing in mind that Haiti has seen similar numerous foreign interventions to no avail and the country lacks a proper democratically elected government since the assassination of the then president Jvenel Moise in 2021,” the COTU boss said in a statement.

He said the government has a role to play towards ensuring that Kenyan police officers are safe, throughout the one year operation.

“Whereas the Kenyan government has an international obligation, as a key player under the United Nations Security Council mandate, to enhance peace and security globally, we wish to urge the government to take extra caution including engaging our allies who have already supported the move like the US and Canada to ensure the safety of our police force that will be executing this important task of protecting the lives of our brothers and sisters in Haiti.”

“We equally urge the US to reciprocate the kind gesture by the Kenyan government by ensuring that the Kenyan police force is properly equipped to promote peace and security while ensuring their personal safety and reducing on any unexpected casualties,” he added.

His reservations come a day after Haki Africa Executive Director Hussein Khalid, raised similar issues.

Khalid said the move should be subjected to a parliamentary process for approval, before the deployment.