UN Security Council authorises deployment of Kenyan police to Haiti

By Peter Ochieng

It is official. Kenyan police will be deployed in Haiti.

This is after members of the United Nations (UN) Security Council on Monday voted in favour of the one year deployment, starting January, 2024.

The yearlong multinational security mission led by Kenya will seek to crack down on violent gangs that have made a living hell for many in the Caribbean nation.

Kenya, through president William Ruto has offered 1,000 police officers.

Other nations like Jamaica and Equador have also offered different numbers of personnel while several other countries are expected to provide resources.

According to the United Nations, at least 3,000 people have been killed in Haiti as a result of gangs running 'the town' in most parts of the nation.

United Nations 15-member Council voted to approve the mission that will see foreign police officers guard critical infrastructure, such as airports, ports, schools and hospitals.

China and Russia abstained from the vote. United States (US) Secretary of State Anthony Blinken applauded the vote.

“We applaud the UN security Council’s authorization of a Multinational Security Support mission to Hait, a pivotal step in providing the international support Haiti requested to restore security. We thank Kenya and Ecuador for their strong partnership in this effort."

Haiti’s foreign minister Jean Victor Généus said:

“This is more than a simple vote. This is, in fact, an expression of solidarity with a population in distress.”

Gangs aligned with political parties have reportedly strengthened their grip on the country since the 2021 assassination of then president Jovenel Moise.

US president Joe Biden's administration has pledged Sh14.5 billion to the mission and another Sh14.5 billion from the Defense Department in the form of intelligence, airlifts, communications and medical assistance.