Kenya delays Haiti police deployment

Police officers at War Memorial Hospital on February 1, 2024. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Kenya has delayed the planned deployment of police officers to Haiti to fight gangs following the resignation of the country’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei, told the BBC there was no anchor for deployment since there was no political administration in the country.

According to Sing’oei Kenya will have to wait for a new or a holding government to work with the deployed forces.

As a result of Henry’s resignation, the United Nations-backed Multinational Security Support (MSS) will also be delayed.

The PM was forced to resign after mounted pressure from the Summit of Caribbean Countries, who said his exit would create room for the installation of an interim government.

He came to power in 2021 following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in his home, Henry failed to conduct elections which led to a further uprising by the gangs.

On Monday, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki indicated Kenya was ready to go ahead with the deployment and was finalizing operational procedures.

Last year, Kenya committed to sending 1,000 police officers under MSS and had already received funding from the US and Canada.

This move faced legal hurdles with the High Court ruling that there was no legal basis to send the officers.

This is after gangs took over most parts of the country, where they have been involved in killings and kidnappings.