Kenya To Train 2,000 Haiti Police Officers In New Agreement

By Ebi Kesiena

Kenya has agreed to train over 2,000 Haiti police officers, who will be flown to Kenya for a brief training in law enforcement and combat before returning to Haiti for deployment.

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This decision follows a week-long fact-finding mission by a Kenyan delegation to Haiti, set to return on May 27.

The agreement includes training the officers in Kenya for about two weeks before deploying them back to Haiti by mid-June 2024. President William Ruto stated that the peacekeeping force is expected to help address gang violence in Haiti.

Although the officers were initially expected by the end of May, logistical issues have delayed their arrival until June 15.

Kenya will lead a 2,500-member security force, having agreed with the Haitian government on rules of engagement. However, this agreement still needs to be formalized and submitted to the United Nations Security Council. The Kenyan delegation noted Haiti’s lack of necessary equipment, such as armored vehicles, radios, and communication tools, and the need for helicopters to evacuate potential casualties.

Haitians hope the foreign forces will help reduce the control of armed gangs that have caused shortages of medication and food.

Haiti’s transitional presidential council has requested the deployment of Kenyan police, who will form the core of a multinational force including officers from Chile, Jamaica, Grenada, Paraguay, Burundi, Chad, Nigeria, and Mauritius.

Tags: Kenya