Investigations Reveal How Delay of Kenya Police Deployment Has Cost 3,400 Haitian Lives
In the span of the past four months since the proposal to send 1,000 Kenyan police officers to Haiti was introduced in October of the previous year, over 3,400 Haitian citizens have lost their lives, faced kidnappings, or sustained injuries in ongoing efforts to restore order in the Caribbean nation.
A report released on Monday by the Miami Herald, a US media organization, revealed that January 2024 marked the most turbulent month on record, impacting the lives of more than 1,100 individuals.
The information also indicated that a person loses their life every two hours, and 17 others sustain injuries daily.
According to reports, the gangs’ power has been on the rise, with members boldly taking travelers captive and setting houses on fire.
Voluntary workers are said to be facing obstacles in providing food assistance to thousands in need, as they are reportedly being prevented from carrying out their efforts.
“The already dire human rights situation has deteriorated even further, amid unrelenting and expanding gang violence, with disastrous consequences for Haitians,” the outlet quoted the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.
“Every day that passes, more casualties are being recorded.”
In October, President William Ruto proposed the dispatch of a team of 1,000 Kenyan police officers to spearhead a collaborative effort in addressing the criminal groups that had gained control of 80 percent of the nation.
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Ruto’s attempts faced obstacles due to multiple court decisions that declared the deployment unconstitutional.
The most recent decision from Justice Chacha Mwita, issued last month, stated that the National Security Council and the National Police Service (NPS) lack the authority to send officers abroad.
“To be clear, Article 240 does not mandate the Council to deploy police officers outside Kenya. Deployment should be as provided for in part 14 of the Act and only to a reciprocating country,” he directed.
In response to the court decision, Ruto asserted his determination to continue pursuing the mission despite facing setbacks in legal proceedings.
The President contended that Haiti sought assistance, and a bilateral arrangement was in progress to facilitate the mission. Consequently, Kenya restated its dedication to spearheading efforts alongside other nations to combat the menace of lethal Haitian gangs.
Recently, Stéphane Dujarric, the UN Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, announced that the United Nations is prepared to back any international coalition established to tackle the humanitarian emergency in Haiti.
The representative disclosed that with the deterioration of the situation in Haiti, there is an immediate requirement to deploy a rapid response team.
Investigations Reveal How Delay of Kenya Police Deployment Has Cost 3,400 Haitian Lives