Kenya has announced plans to send its police officers to Haiti to deal with the escalating violence caused by gang control in the capital. This mission, which was initially proposed in July and recently cleared for deployment following an agreement with Haiti's government, aims to address the security crisis in the country. However, questions linger about the effectiveness and feasibility of this intervention, given the worsening security situation and financial uncertainties surrounding the mission.
Former Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who signed the agreement with Kenya, has faced challenges returning to Haiti due to heightened violence in the country. Despite the urgency for deploying Kenyan officers to stabilize the situation, concerns have been raised about the ability of these forces to navigate the complex security landscape in Haiti. While Kenya has experience deploying troops to countries like Somalia, sending police officers in such large numbers presents new challenges and logistical issues for Nairobi to resolve.
One of the major obstacles facing the mission is financing, with the United States being the primary contributor to the funds needed for the deployment. Despite pledges of $300 million from the US, only a fraction of this amount has been deposited into the UN trust fund as of the latest update. The delay in transferring funds has raised concerns about the operational readiness of the Kenyan forces and their ability to sustain themselves during the mission. Additionally, UN rules requiring funds to be used for reimbursing expenses already incurred pose a hurdle for Kenya, which has requested upfront payment for the deployment costs.
Amidst these challenges, opposition politicians in Kenya have voiced skepticism about the mission's feasibility and raised concerns about the risks involved for Kenyan officers. The surge in violence in Port-au-Prince, where gangs have intensified their activities, has further fueled doubts about the mission's prospects. With criticisms mounting over the mission's potential dangers and Kenya's capacity to handle the situation in Haiti, the government faces a contentious decision regarding the deployment of its police forces to address the security crisis in the Caribbean nation.