Court Blocks Kenya from Deploying Police to Haiti

By Samuel Ouma [caption id="attachment_109034" align="alignnone" width="750"] President Ruto[/caption] Kenya’s High Court on Monday temporarily stopped the deployment of Police to Haiti or any other country pending the case filed by three complainants. Justice Chacha Mwita issued the directive a few days after the United Nations gave the East African nation the green light to use its forces to bring peace to Haiti. ''That a conservatory order is hereby issued restraining the respondents from deploying police officers to Haiti or any other Country until October 24, 2023,” said Justice Mwita. Justice Mwita ordered that the pleadings be served on the respondents immediately. Once served, respondents will have three days to file and serve written responses to the petition, which cannot exceed ten pages. Former Kenyan Presidential candidate Ekuru Aukot and two others had petitioned the court to prevent the government from sending 1000 police officers to the Caribbean island on legal grounds. Last week, the United Nations Security Council authorized a year-long multinational security operation for Haiti, led by Kenya. President William Ruto praised the action, stating that despite the difficult challenge ahead, Kenya would succeed in Haiti. “This is a mission for humanity, which connects boldly and directly with the foundation principles of the United Nations, and affirms our shared hope that justice is finally coming to the people of Haiti,” said President William Ruto. Several Kenyan leaders have spoken out against the deployment of Kenyan police to Haiti, claiming that the officers are not suited to combat well-trained and organized criminals.