Kenya signs agreement with Haiti on deployment of 1000 police officers

Kenya and Haiti on March 1, 2024 signed an agreement on the deployment of 1,000 police officers to the Multi-National Security Support Mission in Haiti.

President William Ruto and Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry witnessed the signing ceremony at State House, Nairobi.

“Today, March 1, 2024, I am pleased to inform that Prime Minister Ariel Henri and I have witnessed the signing of this instrument.

“We have also discussed the next steps to enable the fast-tracking of the deployment,” said President Ruto.

Interior CS Kithure Kindiki (right) with his Haiti counterpart displaying the signed agreement on police deployment to Haiti on March 1, 2024. Photo: William Ruto

Speaking after signing the agreement, President Ruto noted that on October 2, 2023, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2699 authorising a multinational security support mission to Haiti.

Ruto explained that Kenya, having been requested by member States, accepted to lead the coordination of this international mission.

“Pursuant to this Resolution, preparations for the mission commenced, including the authorisation procedures, preparation of mission documents, including the concept of operations, conduct and discipline policy, status protection agreement and directive on detention, searches and use of force.

“There has also been extensive engagement with member States to translate the global solidarity into concrete support for the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS),” Ruto stated.

He added that the National Security Council and Cabinet approved the deployment of 1,000 police officers on October 13, 2023.

Further, on November 16, 2023, Parliament unanimously approved the police deployment to Haiti.

However, a petition was filed in court challenging deployment of Kenyan police officers to Haiti.

Meanwhile, the court determined the need for a reciprocal instrument between Kenya and Haiti to enable the deployment.