Kenya’s parliament has granted approval for the deployment of 1000 police officers to Haiti, as part of a peacekeeping mission sanctioned by the United Nations (UN) Security Council.
The mission, endorsed by both the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security and the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence & Foreign Relations, is aimed at addressing the escalating threat posed by criminal gangs in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince.
During a joint committee session on November 9, 2023, Police Inspector General Japhet Koome revealed that the deployment of Kenyan troops would be executed in phases.
Kindiki informed the MPs that the deployment of Kenya’s 1000 troops is projected to cost $241,390,961 (equivalent to Ksh. 36,570,730,591), with funding expected to be sourced from UN member states. The overall expense of the mission, which involves contributions from troops of various nations, is estimated at $600 million (Ksh. 91 billion).
Addressing the joint committee, Kindiki emphasized, “Unless all resources are mobilized and made available, our troops will not leave the country. They will remain on Kenyan soil until the necessary equipment is in place on the ground in Haiti.”
The United Nations Security Council has granted approval for the Multinational Security Support mission, with Kenya leading the initiative. Other nations, including The Bahamas, Jamaica, Antigua, and Barbuda, have expressed their willingness to contribute to the mission.
