Fresh Hurdle: Legal Challenge Emerges as Kenya Plans Troop Deployment to Haiti
Kenya’s plan to send its troops to strife-torn Haiti encountered a fresh obstacle as lawyer Ekuru Aukot filed a petition against the government’s actions.
Aukot’s petition, dated Thursday, May 16, accused the government of contempt, alleging that it had violated a court order issued in January halting the deployment.
He claimed that the government had already chosen 200 police officers who were scheduled to depart for Haiti later this month, urging the court to handle the matter urgently as the deployment was slated to begin on May 23.
In his petition, Aukot asserted, “The applicants are reliably informed that the impugned deployment may be done any time from now.”
He further contended that the government knowingly disregarded the law by persisting with what he labeled as unlawful activities despite an ongoing court case.
Additionally, Aukot argued that Haiti had not formally requested Kenya’s assistance nor signed any bilateral agreement for the deployment of its officers to pacify the crisis-ridden nation.
“There is no government in place in Haiti to give us such a request or sign a bilateral agreement with Kenya,” Aukot remarked.
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These developments followed recent reports indicating Kenya’s intentions to dispatch the initial group of police officers to Haiti toward the end of May.
The timing of the deployment coincides with President William Ruto’s upcoming official visit to the United States, during which discussions about the deployment are expected to feature prominently.
It is projected that the initial deployment will comprise 500 police officers, 400 security personnel, and 100 medical officers, all sourced from the National Police Service (NPS).
Furthermore, reports suggest that the United States Defense Department, through the Pentagon, has initiated preparations by establishing camps for the multinational mission.
Fresh Hurdle: Legal Challenge Emerges as Kenya Plans Troop Deployment to Haiti
