Jump to navigation

Kenya

Finance needed before UN police mission, say ministers

Plans to deploy personnel to tackle gang violence in Haiti have been held up in the courts and by a lack of funding for training

The mission in which 1,000 Kenyan police officers would lead a UN multinational deployment in Haiti appear are being held up by disputes over funding and training, ministers in Nairobi.

In July, President William Ruto's government offered to train and assist the Haitian National Police in the Caribbean state's battle against criminal gangs (AC Vol 64 No 16,K enyan cops vs Haitian gangs). More than 1,200 killings and 701 kidnappings were reported across Haiti between July and September, while 200,000 people have been displaced by gang violence. The move was welcomed by the Haitian government and approved by the UN Security Council in October.

Last week, Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki told the National Assembly's Committee on Administration and Internal Security that 'unless all resources are mobilised and availed, our troops will not leave the country.'

The United States government has announced a funding pledge of $100 million, with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin praising Kenya's 'great example' on a recent visit to Nairobi. Meanwhile, Canada had also pledged technical support. However, it is not clear when those funds, and others, will be made available.

In October, meanwhile, a court order blocked the deployment pending the outcome of a legal challenge brought by opposition politicians that Kenya's constitution does not allow police officers to be deployed outside the country. The High Court in Nairobi is expected to deliver a final judgement later this week.



Related Articles

Kenyan cops vs Haitian gangs

Kenya's offer to send 1,000 police to help train and assist the Haitian National Police in the Caribbean state's battle against criminal gangs has been warmly welcomed by...


Fear stalks the law

The recent extrajudicial killings intimidate lawyers and seems designed to deter law suits over police brutality

The gruesome murder of human rights advocate Willie Kimani, his client Josphat Mwenda, a victim of police abuse, and their taxi driver, Joseph Muiruri, has added lawyers to...


Allowance alliance

Members of parliament of the opposition National Super Alliance (Nasa) have boycotted the National Assembly since August's controversial elections, bringing legislative business to a halt. But when the...


Millionaire debtors

As Nairobi's failing banks call in their loans there is a nasty smell of cronyism

Delinquent debtors owe millions of shillings to more than a dozen troubled banks in Kenya. The list includes names from President Daniel arap Moi’s immediate family, that of...


NASA for launch

Opposition leaders are edging closer to a multi-ethnic coalition to stand against President Uhuru Kenyatta's governing Jubilee coalition in next August's elections. Coalition for Reform and Democracy leader...