Plans are in top gear for Kenya to send 1,000 of its police officers to Haiti to bolster security in the violence-torn Caribbean country.
Although a section of Kenyans are opposed to this idea, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wants the officers sent to Haiti within the next 3 to 4 months.
Those opposed argue that Kenya police’s human rights records is wanting. Others are of the opinion that the Kenya police officers do not have the capacity to deal with vicious gangs in Haiti.
But Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua says: “Those opposing the deal have a right to be skeptical because it has been tried before. I mean, other missions have been deployed before. But remember those were United Nations peace missions. This is a different mission.”
Senator Cherargei welcomes move
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei is one of those Kenyans who have welcome the mission to Haiti.
The outspoken senator is banking on the police officers to utilise the experience they got from handling opposition’s anti-government protests to be successful in strife-torn Haiti.
“The Kenya Police can easily handle Haiti criminal gangs because they vanquished the Azimio-OKA illegal protests/maandamano thoroughly until the entire world noticed their effective and efficiency in handling lawlessness,” Cherargei says.
“Congratulations to Kenya Police SERVICE as you serve our Haitian brothers & our Prayers go with you. Utumishi kwa WOTE!”
Criminal gangs-ridden Haiti
Gangs control around 80 percent of the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince and violent crimes such as kidnappings for ransom, armed robbery and carjackings are common.
Kenya’s mission to Haiti still requires a mandate from the UN Security Council and approval from domestic authorities.
Kenya, committed to peace
In August, United Nations (UN) lauded Kenya’s initiative as Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the offer.
With Haitian security forces overwhelmed, Guterres and Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry called for an international intervention to help support the police.
Kenya has deployed its forces abroad for peacekeeping in the past, including Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
