Kenya is determined to proceed with its plans to lead a United Nations-approved security mission to Haiti, despite a recent court ruling in Nairobi that temporarily blocked the deployment, according to Kenyan President William Ruto.
In a statement to Reuters on Tuesday, January 30, Ruto vowed to proceed with the mission since it is ‘a bigger calling to humanity’.
“The mission is on course. The mission is a bigger calling to humanity,” Ruto said.
The international mission aims to address the pervasive issue of gang violence in Haiti, which claimed the lives of nearly 5,000 people last year.
Kenya’s mission to Haiti is set to be initially funded by the United States which has already pledged $200 million to facilitate the deployment.
The deployment however faces uncertainty after a Kenyan court declared it unconstitutional to send officers abroad without a “reciprocal arrangement” with the host government.
President Ruto emphasized that Haiti had requested assistance months ago, and he anticipated that a formal request fulfilling the court’s requirements would be forthcoming soon.
“That mission can go ahead as soon as next week if all the paperwork is done between Kenya and Haiti on the bilateral route that has been suggested by the court,” stated Ruto.
When questioned about ongoing discussions with Haiti to secure the necessary request, Ruto confirmed, “Absolutely. Haiti has actually written formally, not today, several months ago.”
Haiti initially sought aid in 2022 as gang violence surged, but struggled to find willing participants, as many foreign governments were hesitant to support the unelected administration of the impoverished country.
Kenya, known for its involvement in international peacekeeping operations, stepped forward in July, committing 1,000 police officers as a show of solidarity with its fellow nation.
