Kenya’s Parliament Approves Deployment of Police to Haiti

By Samuel Ouma

Kenyan legislators on Thursday, November 16, approved the deployment of 1000 police officers to Haiti for a peacekeeping mission.

The Joint Committee of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security and the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defense, and Foreign Relations presented the motion in Parliament.

The Committee on Administration and Internal Security Chairperson, Gabriel Tongoyo, told the House Members that the officers are to be deployed in phases for twelve months. A review will be undertaken nine months thereafter.

According to Tongoyo, the United Nations will bear the mission's cost.

He added the mission would be carried out in strict compliance with international law, including international human rights law.

The motion was supported by leaders allied to the ruling party, Kenya Kwanza, loosely translated as Kenya First.

“The proposed deployment is anchored on the responsibility of Kenya as a United Nation Member State and as part of a global community of nations. Historically, Kenya has been a leading participant in providing solutions to global security challenges. We should feel honoured that our country has been called up by the UN Security Council and other nations of the world to serve in restoring the security and dignity of other human beings,” said the National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa.

However, it was opposed by opposition MPs who argued that the mission is unconstitutional.

The House debated and approved the mission despite the existing conservatory order from the court.

Kenya’s High Court on October 9 put Haiti deployment on temporary hold until cases filed against it are heard and determined.