Haiti: Kenya Court Stops Police Deployment to Caribbean Country, Says it's 'Illegal and Invalid'

Kenya's High Court issued a ruling on Friday, prohibiting the deployment of Kenya police officers to Haiti to assist in curbing gang violence, AP reports.

High Court Judge Chacha Mwita stated that Kenya's National Security Council lacks the authority to deploy regular police outside the country.

In November, Kenya's parliament approved the deployment of 1,000 officers to lead a multinational force in Haiti.

"It is not contested that there is no reciprocal arrangement between Kenya and Haiti and for that reason, there can be no deployment of police to that country," Mwita said.

Judge Mwita, responding to an application from Thirdway Alliance Party leader Ekuru Aukot, emphasized that while Kenya's offer was commendable, it needed to align with the constitution.

Aukot argued that the government's plan to send officers to Haiti was illegal.

The government plans to appeal the decision, as confirmed by Kenyan government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura.

Haiti's Ongoing Crisis and Mixed Reactions

The ruling coincides with the Haitian government's urgent plea for a multinational force to aid its police in tackling rampant violence.

Haiti, facing prolonged turmoil, experiences armed gangs seizing control and inflicting brutal violence, further exacerbating economic and public health challenges.

Gang-related violence escalated following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise almost three years ago.

In response to Haiti's plea, the United Nations Security Council had approved the Kenya-led mission in October.

However, the planned deployment faced criticism in Kenya, with opposition politician Ekuru Aukot filing a petition against it.

Haiti recorded 3,000 homicides and over 1,500 kidnappHaitiings for ransom between January and September 2023, leading to widespread protests and calls for Prime Minister Ariel Henry's resignation, according to Al Jazeera.

Despite the Security Council's approval, concerns over human rights violations and the effectiveness of external interventions persisted.

Meanwhile, Haiti's foreign minister urgently appeals for the accelerated deployment of a multinational force, describing gang violence in the country as barbaric, akin to horrors experienced in war zones.

Addressing the UN Security Council, he expresses hope for swift international support for Haitian security forces.

Mixed Reactions in Haiti and Concerns Over Human Rights

Haiti community members expressed mixed reactions to the possible deployment.

While some saw the mission as an opportunity to address the humanitarian crisis, others viewed it as unnecessary external intervention, BBC noted.

Aukot, the Kenyan opposition leader who filed the case, hailed the court ruling as a win for Kenya, asserting that the country should prioritize its security challenges.

President William Ruto defended the deployment, describing it as a "mission for humanity" in a nation grappling with colonialism's impact.

However, concerns were raised over the suitability of Kenya police officers for the mission, with worries about potential human rights violations.

Human Rights Watch has documented instances of Kenyan police violence, dating back to 2013.

The Kenya government, denying allegations of human rights violations, expressed disappointment at the ruling.

One of the Kenya police officers, trained for two months, expresses demoralization after the court ruling preventing deployment to Haiti.

Despite disappointment, he intends to utilize the training in service within Kenya.

The ruling is the second setback for the government on the same day, following a separate rejection of an attempt to overturn a housing levy block.

This development comes amid criticism from Ruto against judges he accuses of corruption for impeding government policies.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Court blocks Kenya police Haiti deployment - From KTN News Kenya