Kenya court puts Haiti deployment on temporary hold for two weeks

On Out 11, 2023

A Kenyan court on Monday temporarily suspended the government’s plan to send police to Haiti on a UN-backed mission that aims to restore calm in nthe Caribbean nation.

The UN Security Council last week approved the Kenyan-led multinational security force for the country with Kenya promising 1,000 police officers.

But a Nairobi court granted an interim injunction on Monday in a case brought by opposition politician and lawyer Ekuru Aukot, who argues the deployment is unconstitutional as is not backed by any law or treaty.

Aukot helped draft Kenya’s revised 2010 constitution and charged that Kenya would be deploying its police abroad while it failed to quell insecurity within its own borders.

“I am satisfied that the application and petition raise substantial issues of national importance and public interest that require urgent consideration,” High Court judge Enock Mwita ruled.

“A conservatory order is hereby issued restraining the respondents from deploying police officers to Haiti or any other country until 24 October 2023,” the ruling reads.

Details of Kenya’s deployment are still not finalised and parliament has yet to approve the move as required by law.

A new type of mission

Haiti is considered to be the Western Hemisphere’s poorest nation. It has been in turmoil for years. Armed gangs have taken over parts of the country while the economy and public health system is also in tatters.

(with AFP)