PS Foreign Affairs Alfred Mutua

Kenya is ready to head a multinational force into the Caribbean state of Haiti which has seen an upsurge in violent conflict between police and gangs leading to a humanitarian crisis that has displaced tens of thousands of people.

“At the request of Friends of Haiti Group of Nations, Kenya has accepted to positively consider leading a Multi-National Force to Haiti,” Foreign and Diaspora CS Alfred Mutua said in a statement on Saturday.

Insecurity and political instability in Haiti was exacerbated by the killing of former President Jovenel Moise on 7 July, 2021.

Kenya responds to UN call for help

Alfred Mutua’s declaration comes nearly a month since U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed to the Security Council and major potential contribution countries to take action to create the conditions for the deployment of a multinational force to Haiti.

Mutua said, “Kenya’s commitment is to deploy a contingent of 1,000 police officers to help train and assist Haitian police restore normalcy in the country and protect strategic installations.”

The planned deployment of police officers from Kenya is however, still dependent on getting a U.N. Security Council mandate and Kenyan authorisations.

“Kenya’s proposed deployment will crystalise once a mandate from the UN Security Council is obtained and other Kenyan constitutional processes are undertaken,” Mutua said.

Kenya ‘Task Team’ to assess situation in Haiti

“An Assessment Mission by a Task Team of the Kenya Police is scheduled within the next few weeks,” continued Mutua. The CS said the assessment will inform and guide the mandate and operational requirements of the Mission.

“At the request of Friends of Haiti Group of Nations, Kenya has accepted to positively consider leading a Multi-National Force to Haiti,” Mutua said.

The CS said the development is part of Kenya’s effort to stand in solidarity with all people of African descent across the world to “reclaiming of the Atlantic Crossing.”