In a closed ceremony on Monday, a contingent of 400 Kenyan police officers departed Nairobi for Haiti, where they will lead a multinational force against powerful gangs responsible for a surge in deadly violence this year. The deployment is part of a larger planned contingent of 1,000 Kenyan officers for a United Nations-led mission in the Caribbean nation.
The decision to deploy Kenyan police has sparked controversy, defying a court ruling in Kenya that declared the mission unconstitutional. Critics have raised concerns about historical allegations of police misconduct. A new lawsuit has been filed seeking to block the deployment, questioning the legitimacy of the agreement signed between Kenya and Haiti.
President William Ruto, who oversaw the sendoff, has maintained that stabilizing Haiti is “a mission for humanity … a mission for solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Haiti.” The United States has pledged $300 million to support the mission, but President Joe Biden has expressed concerns about the implications of American troop presence in Haiti.
Haiti has witnessed over 2,500 individuals killed or injured in the first quarter of 2024, triggered by a surge in violence starting in late February that has uprooted over half a million residents. Gangs currently hold sway over approximately 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince.
The reported deployment comes as Kenya faces protests against proposed tax increases. Despite the legal challenges and controversies, the Kenyan government appears determined to proceed with the mission, with an advance team already sent for special training in the U.S. last year.
Human Rights Watch has raised concerns about the mission and doubts over its funding. Rights groups have accused Kenyan police of using excessive force and carrying out unlawful killings. The mission will need to establish a framework of strict internal and external independent oversight and transparency to address these concerns.