Haiti Requests for More Kenyan Police Officers

Haiti Requests for More Kenyan Police Officers

Haiti Requests for More Kenyan Police Officers

Haiti has asked for additional Kenyan police officers to be sent to the Caribbean country, according to information released on Saturday by Inspector General (IG) of Police Japhet Koome.

The request was made by Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille at a security briefing to the UN Security Council earlier this week, according to an announcement made by Inspector General Koome.

Already, 200 Kenyan police personnel are ready to be sent to Haiti if the request is approved.

Before the first 200 police officers were sent on June 24, 400 officers finished pre-deployment training, of which the 200 cops were a part.

“During the security brief to the UN Security Council this week, the Prime Minister called for the deployment of additional Kenyan police officers in Haiti, expressing his optimism that the Multinational Security Support (MSS)  team will control the gangs,” IG Koome briefed the nation.

Additionally, it was reported that Conille had promised his government’s unwavering support to the Kenyan police officers deployed in his country.

IG Koome’s statement was made hours after images circulated of Kenyan police officers guarding the United States Embassy in Haiti. 

Explaining the scope of their operations, IG Koome remarked that Kenyan police had embarked on joint operational, logistical and induction training with their Haitian National Police counterparts. 

Kenya is expected to be joined by at least six other countries in the MSS that was approved by the United Nations on October 2023. 

Due to the UN member states’ delayed contributions of cash that would have supported the mission, this has proceeded as planned.

Maria Isabel Salvador, the Chief of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti and Special Representative of the Secretary-General, urged everyone on the world scene to contribute financially to the Mission.

The UN Security Council reports that, out of a Ksh12 billion target, less than Ksh3 billion has been raised through the UN Trust Fund.