Kenya police deployment to Haiti peacekeeping mission debacle, LSK term move illegal, govt remain adamant

The Law Society of Kenya has objected the planned deployment of 1000 police officers to troubled Caribbean island of Haiti even as the government confirmed plans to have the Kenya police officers boots committed to ground in Haiti.

In a statement by LSK President Faith Odhiambo, LSK wants President William Ruto, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki and Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome to obey a court order that barred the deployment of the police officers.

“It has come to our attention that despite the court orders, the government has sanctioned the deployment. While it is reported that the CS Interior and the former Haitian Prime Minister executed a bilateral treaty purportedly authorising the intended deployment of Kenyan Police Officers, the Law Society of Kenya is compelled, in defence of the rule of law, to point out that the legal requirements, as interpreted by Justice C. Mwita have not been met. Therefore, any move to deploy police officers to Haiti is unconstitutional and illegal.” Odhiambo said.

However, hours later this afternoon, the Kenyan government confirmed plans to deploy police officers  despite a petition filed in court against the move.

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Dr. Korir Sing’Oei said has that the state was finalising the deployment plans for the officers to depart in the “next few weeks” although security sources say they leave this week.

“The government is in the process of finalizing preparation to deploy. I can tell you for sure that that deployment will happen in the next few weeks.” The PS told a media briefing on the update of president William Ruto’s state visit to the United States.

He denied reports that the Kenyan leader will visit Haiti during his US state visit in which he departs Sunday.

“There is no chance at all for Pres Ruto to go down to Port au Prince as had been alleged.” The PS said.

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has declared the planned deployment of police officers to Haiti unlawful, days after the move was challenged in court.

In a statement, the LSK urged President Ruto to respect court orders and uphold the rule of law.

Reports indicate that the deployment of the first batch of Kenyan police to the Caribbean nation could coincide with President Ruto’s visit to Washington, where he is scheduled to meet US President Joe Biden on May 23.

“LSK stands at the forefront of upholding the principles of justice, accountability, and the rule of law within our nation,” the statement read. “We condemn in the strongest terms possible the willful disregard for the rule of law being demonstrated by the President and government agencies.”

She reminded Ruto’s promise to obey court orders and abide by the law when he took oath of office.

“We condemn in the strongest terms possible the willful disregard to the law being demonstrated by the President and the government agencies. We remind the President that he took Oath of Office to protect the Constitution and has on several occasions reiterated that his government would comply with the rule of law.” She added.

This comes amid plans by the government to send Kenyan police to Haiti to help with the restoration of peace in the troubled Caribbean nation.

The deployment has been met with immense opposition from majority of Kenyans, with Thirdway Alliance Party leader Ekuru Aukot once again moving to court to block the move.

Aukot and  Miruru Waweru lodged the complaint on Thursday, arguing that the government had “blatantly disregarded” a January court order prohibiting the deployment as unconstitutional and illegal.

The lawsuit said that its petitioners were “reliably informed” that the Kenyan deployment may take place no later than May 23, “hence the urgency of this application”.

The expected deployment of a first batch of Kenyan police to the Caribbean nation would coincide with a visit by President William Ruto to Washington where he will meet US President Joe Biden on May 23.

Kenya pledged last July to deploy up to 1,000 personnel to Haiti, an offer welcomed by the United States and other nations that had ruled out putting their own forces on the ground.