Controversy Brews as Kenya Considers Sending Police to Haiti Amid Rising Gang Violence

Kenya's proposal to take charge of a multinational force in Haiti, supported by the United Nations to bring back peace, is under close examination and opposition within the country. At the same time, the level of violence in Haiti continues to escalate.

Last July, President William Ruto suggested sending 1,000 police officers to work alongside Haitian police in efforts to control the gangs that have seized control of Port-au-Prince and are currently causing chaos in the country.

Civil society and opposition groups in the East African nation believe that Deputy President Ruto is attempting to benefit financially from the situation. They argue that the deployment of Kenyan troops to Haiti is unauthorized and that a military force, rather than a police service, is necessary. Some even go as far as to label it as an occupation.

In response to the ongoing gang violence in Haiti, the UN Security Council approved a multinational security support mission in October. Kenya offered to lead this mission, but the deployment of troops was postponed by its high court in January. This delay was due to the court's ruling that a reciprocal agreement with Haiti was required before the deployment could proceed.

The Kenyan president found a way to bypass the judge's decision by signing a reciprocal agreement with Haiti on March 1. The agreement was witnessed by Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry during a meeting in Nairobi. However, due to the deteriorating security situation in Haiti, Henry was unable to return to his country. Consequently, he announced his resignation a few days later, stating that he would step down once a transitional council was established.

Former Prime Minister of Haiti Ariel Henry (left) with Kenyan President William Ruto (center) at the United Nations Environment Programme headquarters in Nairobi on February 29.

Former Prime Minister of Haiti Ariel Henry was pictured with Kenyan President William Ruto at the United Nations Environment Programme headquarters in Nairobi on February 29. The photo was taken by Daniel Irungu/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock.

Henry, who became the leader of Haiti in 2021 after the assassination of the previous president, did not organize elections last year, causing frustration among the people.

After Henry declared his resignation and chaos erupted in Haiti, Kenya decided to pause its deployment of police officers to the country, as stated by a spokesperson from the Kenyan government in a recent interview with CNN. Some individuals in Kenya believe that this suspension should continue.

Kenyan politician Ekuru Aukot, who took legal action that resulted in the judge ruling against Ruto, stated that Henry was not a legitimate prime minister when he tried to finalize the deal. Aukot mentioned that the agreement they say they signed cannot be enforced in any court of law.

The document that was signed on March 1 has not been released to the public. However, according to Kenyan law, a president must ensure that the country where officers are being sent has comparable policing laws.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who is secretary general of the opposition party Orange Democratic Movement, echoed Aukot’s argument that the deal has no legal standing.

A motorcyclist passes burning tires during a demonstration against CARICOM, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on March 12, 2024.

A motorcyclist passes burning tires during a demonstration against CARICOM, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on March 12, 2024.

Guerinault Louis/Anadolu/Getty Images

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He mentioned to CNN at his office in Nairobi that the agreement you signed with a group claiming to be a government in Kenya is not valid.

There is a discussion about the level of danger for Kenyan police officers being sent to Haiti during a period of intense gang violence, even though Kenya has a history of sending officers to volatile international locations.

Kenyan police have been involved in peacekeeping missions worldwide for over 35 years. They have played a role in conflicts in various countries such as Cambodia, the former Yugoslavia, Bosnia, Croatia, Kosovo, East Timor, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Somalia, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to a government report presented in Kenya's national assembly.

Former police spokesman Charles Owino mentioned to CNN that Kenya has not lost any police officers in combat during these missions. The country's well-trained paramilitary officers from the General Service Unit and the Administration Police Special Operations Group have received training locally and internationally, including from top institutions in Israel and the United States.

Security analyst Francis Maina recognized that Kenya has special forces responsible for guarding its borders and conducting technical operations. However, he does not believe that these forces are equipped to deal with the criminal gangs in Haiti.

Maina expressed his opinion to CNN, stating, "Our police officers in Kenya are not capable of managing the level of criminal activity present in Haiti."

Maina emphasized that sending police officers to handle the situation would be tragic, as they are not trained as military personnel. Instead of fighting, their role is to maintain law and order, ensure compliance with traffic rules, and prevent theft. However, the current issue is that everyone seems to be disregarding the law.

In light of this, Maina suggested that Ruto should urge the UN to dispatch thousands of soldiers to disarm the gangs prior to deploying the police to maintain peace.

Motorists pass by a burning barricade during a protest in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on March 7, 2024.

Motorists pass by a burning barricade during a protest in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on March 7, 2024.

Kenyan author Mukoma wa Ngugi reacted to a CNN report about the planned deployment of Kenyan police. He drew parallels to the Haitian revolution from 1791 to 1804, when Haiti became the first independent black nation. Mukoma wa Ngugi pointed out the irony of an African country planning to "occupy" Haiti, especially considering the Kenyan police's history of extrajudicial killings at home.

Kenya’s police have faced criticism for their violent handling of demonstrations in the country. However, Owino mentioned that there have been no complaints against Kenyan police during international missions.

Evelio Contreras/CNN

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In Port-au-Prince, vigilantes are fighting against gangs while Haiti's elites compete for power. Ruto made a public announcement about Kenya's willingness to send police to Haiti. He then proceeded to secure the necessary parliamentary approval and used his party's majority in the national assembly to finalize the decision in November.

During a heated argument, lawmakers from his party expressed their belief that Kenya should view it as a privilege that the UN Security Council had requested its assistance in maintaining global peace. "If Haiti is in danger, we are all at risk," stated ruling party member Sarah Korere.

On the other hand, Sifuna and many others in the opposition felt compelled to speak out, despite knowing they were in the minority. "The president shows little respect for the law. He seems to believe that things must be done his way or not at all. He has allies in parliament who are eager to support him in his authoritarian ways," Sifuna explained to CNN.

He is one of many in Kenya who believe that the US funding for the mission could be the reason why Kenya is still interested in the deployment despite the collapse of Haiti's government.

Kenyan police officers wearing riot gear stand on the side of the road near Bomas in Nairobi in August 2022, while waiting for the results of the country's general election.

Kenyan police officers in riot gear are seen standing on the side of the road near Bomas in Nairobi in August 2022, awaiting the results of the country's general election.

Photo by Patrick Meinhardt/AFP/Getty Images

Last week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the US will increase its support to the Kenyan-led multinational security mission to $300 million.

The issue of money was brought up during a heated parliamentary debate in November. Opposition lawmaker Opiyo Wandayi expressed concerns about using police officers for financial gain, stating, "You cannot use our policewomen and men as guinea pigs at the altar of rent seeking." In Kenya, parliamentary speech is protected, and lawmakers are not legally required to defend their statements made in the house.

Ruto views the Haiti deployment as a moral mission. He recently stated that Kenya will continue to be actively involved and will not abandon Haiti during this time of need, following discussions with Canadian, Bahamian leaders, and Henry.

However, Aukot, a former Kenyan presidential candidate, criticized the deployment as another ill-fated occupation of Haiti. He expressed concern that Kenya's police officers could face heavy costs, potentially returning in body bags. Aukot questioned what Ruto will tell the people of Kenya about this mission.

Editor's P/S:

The proposed deployment of Kenyan police officers to Haiti has sparked controversy in Kenya. While President Ruto views the mission as a moral obligation, opposition groups and civil society organizations question its legality and the motives behind it. They argue that the deployment is unauthorized and that a military force is necessary to address the escalating violence in Haiti. The agreement signed with Haiti's former Prime Minister Henry has also been criticized as lacking legal standing.

The safety of Kenyan police officers in Haiti is another concern. Despite Kenya's history of peacekeeping missions, experts believe that the police are not equipped to handle the level of criminal activity present in Haiti. The deployment has also been linked to financial incentives, with the US increasing its support to the mission. As the situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate, it remains unclear whether Kenya will proceed with the deployment and how it will address the concerns raised by its critics. could pose significant risks to the Kenyan officers, and the lack of a stable government in Haiti could make it difficult to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the mission. It is essential that all aspects of the deployment are thoroughly considered and addressed before any officers are sent to Haiti.