Milimani High Court in Nairobi has extended temporary orders preventing the government from deploying police officers to Haiti as part of a United Nations-approved mission aimed at addressing escalating gang violence in the Caribbean nation.
This move comes in response to a worsening security situation in Haiti, with major crimes soaring to “record highs” prompting the United Nations to express concerns and advocate for international assistance.
The decision to extend the order stems from a petition filed by the Thirdway Alliance, a small opposition party in Kenya.
The party argues that the deployment of officers abroad is illegal, emphasizing that the constitution should guide such decisions.
The court’s ruling signals a temporary setback for Kenya’s plan to send 1,000 officers to Haiti in response to the urgent appeal for help from the crisis-stricken nation.
The petition, spearheaded by former presidential candidate Ekuru Aukot, asserts that the law permitting the president to deploy forces abroad conflicts with constitutional articles.
Aukot contends that President William Ruto’s agreement to lead the international peacekeeping mission raises ethical questions, especially given Kenya’s internal security challenges, including militant attacks and recent ethnic clashes.
This legal battle underscores the delicate balance between fulfilling international obligations and addressing pressing domestic issues.
