Raila orders Azimio MPs to reject deployment of Kenyan police to Haiti

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has ordered Azimio MPs to reject police deployment to Haiti should the matter be brought to parliament.

In a press statement, ODM has explained that the decision to deploy Kenya’s police officers to head the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti was ill-advised.

The party secretary general Edwin Sifuna noted in a statement that the Haiti deployment was opportunistic, and undermines the spirit of pan-Africanism.

ODM party leader Raila Odinga (right) with party secretary general Edwin Sifuna. The party has called on all Azimio MPs to reject proposal to deploy police officers to Haiti. Photo: ODM

“We call upon Members of Parliament to oppose the deployment of our men and women in uniform to Haiti should the matter be brought before Parliament,” read part of the ODM statement.

ODM stated that the main focus at the moment should be addressing Kenya’s pressing internal security issues and safeguarding the well-being of the police officers and citizens.

This was after Kenya in July 2023 made an offer to lead MSS mission in Haiti.

At the same time, the party explained that it is deeply concerned about the political instability in Haiti and the dire humanitarian situation.

ODM party leader Raila Odinga during a past Mashemeji Derby at the Kasarani Stadium. [Photo/Courtesy].

“We acknowledge Haiti’s historical significance as the first black nation to regain its independence from colonial forces, which serves as a beacon of liberation for all African and black people worldwide,” read part of the ODM statement.

The opposition party also pointed out that over the years Kenyan military troops have served in UN-backed peacekeeping missions, in diverse countries including Namibia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, the former Yugoslavia and East Timor, among others.

However, the Raila-led party explained that the previous UN-sponsored missions had clear mandates and terms of engagement.

On the other hand, the party argued that Haiti’s situation, tragic as it is, poses no immediate threat to Kenya’s national security as the two nations do not share a border.