The High Court has issued an interim injunction halting the dispatch of Kenyan police officers to Haiti or any other foreign nation. This move comes as a response to a legal petition initiated by the Thirdway Alliance Kenya and two other entities.
While issuing the injunction, Justice Chacha Mwita instructed the immediate service of court documents to the concerned parties. Upon service, the respondents are granted a three-day window to both file and serve written submissions pertaining to the petition.
“A conservatory order is hereby granted, restraining the respondents from deploying police officers to Haiti or any other foreign nation until October 24, 2023,” Justice Mwita said.
This development follows the United Nations Security Council’s recent approval of a year-long multinational security mission for Haiti.
Haiti Mission
This mission, led by Kenya, is meant to combat long-standing gang violence plaguing the streets of Port-au-Prince. Several other countries, including Jamaica, Barbados, and Antigua and Barbuda, have expressed their intent to participate.
Kenya has pledged to contribute 1,000 security personnel to this mission, which aims to address a prolonged wave of gang violence characterized by rampant homicides, kidnappings, and extortion.
The decision to send Kenyan officers to assist Haiti has sparked protests and opposition, both within Kenya and internationally.
Haitians living abroad have taken to the streets to voice their discontent with this move, considering it ill-advised and potentially perilous for Kenyan officers. Many share concerns that these officers may face undue risks in a challenging and volatile environment.
While acknowledging the need for intervention, several stakeholders question the readiness of Kenyan police to tackle such a complex and dangerous situation, especially when Haitian law enforcement is already overwhelmed and under-resourced.
Haitians within the country have also expressed their disapproval of President William Ruto’s decision, organizing protests in the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Demonstrators have chanted slogans against Kenya and voiced their opposition to the deployment of Kenyan police officers.
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