Kenya’s deployment of a UN-backed multinational mission to combat gang violence in Haiti commenced amid legal challenges, Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki confirmed late Monday.
Despite ongoing court proceedings contesting the deployment, a contingent of 400 elite officers from Kenya’s National Police Service departed Nairobi aboard Kenya Airways towards Port-au-Prince.
“This deployment marks a significant moment as our officers join the historic United Nations Mission in Haiti,” stated Kindiki, sharing images from the farewell ceremony held at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
The team comprises members from the Rapid Deployment Unit, General Service Unit, Administration Police, and Kenya Police.
Earlier on Monday, President William Ruto, a staunch supporter of the mission, bid a ceremonial farewell to the officers in Nairobi.
The event, not open to the media, saw Ruto offering prayers and presenting the contingent with the Kenyan national flag.
According to footage released by the presidency, Ruto emphasized the mission’s importance, describing it as a pivotal display of global solidarity.
The deployment, initially delayed by a Kenyan court ruling in January citing the lack of a bilateral agreement, received approval following an agreement reached with Haiti in March.
However, a new legal challenge was launched by Thirdway Alliance Kenya, seeking to block the deployment on procedural grounds.
Opposition leader Ekuru Aukot criticized Ruto’s administration for proceeding with the deployment despite ongoing legal objections, accusing Ruto of disregarding the rule of law and labeling him as subservient to American interests.
The United States, which supports the mission financially and logistically, has expressed optimism about the deployment’s potential to enhance security and facilitate humanitarian aid in Haiti.
Concerns raised by Human Rights Watch over funding and the operational framework of the mission have been countered by assurances from Kenyan authorities regarding the preparedness and professionalism of the deployed officers.
A senior police official defended the contingent’s capability, highlighting their specialized training and experience in handling complex situations.
Several other countries, including Benin, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, and Chad, have also expressed readiness to contribute to the multinational effort in Haiti, where escalating gang violence has severely impacted security and humanitarian operations.
The recent violence in Port-au-Prince, characterized by coordinated attacks by armed groups, further underscores the urgency and challenges facing the international community in stabilizing the volatile situation in Haiti.
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