Kenyan Court Blocks Deployment Of Police Officers To Haiti

NAIROBI, Kenya, October 9, 2023 - The Kenyan High Court on Monday, October 9 issued a conservatory order temporarily blocking the deployment of Kenyan police officers to Haiti.

Justice Chacha Mwita, while delivering the orders, also restrained the state from deploying police officers to any other country until October 24, 2023, when a case filed by Thirdway Alliance will be heard. 

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

The High Court judge also said the respondents should file responses to the petition within three days of service and file a supplementary affidavit, if any, together with written submissions on the petition not exceeding 10 pages.

This temporary ban comes after several leaders have called the decision to send troops to Haiti a bad one for kenya. Francis Atwoli, The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU), has asked the government to proceed cautiously as it plans to deploy 1,000 police officers, pointing out that superior nations have already attempted similar missions without success.

The opposition has also called on the country's preparedness for the mission, adding that the officers do not know the local language.

"Are our Police, most of whom speak neither French nor Creole and will find themselves in strange terrain, sufficiently prepared for this high-risk mission, or Ruto is ready to sacrifice innocent Kenya blood for American dollars and international recognition?" asked the opposition.

"Ruto must stabilize and secure Kenya before thinking of sending our security people to what is clearly a Mission Impossible in a country we even had no diplomatic ties until about two weeks ago," he added.

The order comes after the National Police Service started the process of selecting police officers who are set to be deployed for Haiti's peace mission.

According to an internal signal to all platoons within the General Service Unit accessed by Nairobi Leo, NPS ordered for the names of qualified persons to be urgently submitted.

"The unit is in the process of selection exercise of suitable officers for a special assignment," the circular read in part.

"In view of this, you are urgently required to submit names of officers."

Each platoon has been tasked with selecting two police Constables and one corporal. For the above rank, officers must have at least five years of active service in the National Police Service.

The officers must be aged between 20 and 55 years, must not have more than two convictions and the last one should not be under six months.

Additionally, they should be mentally and physically fit, able to handle firearms safely, and have proven shooting skills.

Former Kenyan Presidential candidate Ekuru Aukot and two others had petitioned the court to prevent the government from sending 1000 police officers to the Caribbean island on legal grounds.

Last week, the United Nations Security Council authorized a year-long multinational security operation for Haiti, led by Kenya.

President William Ruto praised the action, stating that despite the difficult challenge ahead, Kenya would succeed in Haiti.

“This is a mission for humanity, which connects boldly and directly with the foundation principles of the United Nations, and affirms our shared hope that justice is finally coming to the people of Haiti,” said President William Ruto.

“We experienced the harrowing brunt of colonialism, as well as the long, difficult, and frustrating struggle for freedom against those that can influence international institutions to frustrate justice,” said Ruto.

Several Kenyan leaders have spoken out against the deployment of Kenyan police to Haiti, claiming that the officers are not suited to combat well-trained and organized criminals.