President William Ruto has welcomed the decision by the United Nations to approve sending a multinational force to Haiti led by Kenyan soldiers to combat extreme gang violence.
The multinational force will include soldiers from Jamaica, Barbados, the 1,000 soldiers volunteered by Kenya and security personnel from other countries.
However, the imminent deployment has raised several questions and concerns among Kenyans, some of which have remained unanswered by the relevant authorities.
In this article, we delve into some of those crucial questions that you have about the Haiti mission.
Why Was Kenya Chosen for the Mission
Kenya has volunteered 1,000 security personnel for the mission. In addition, it will be leading the United Nations approved force.
Former Foreign Affairs cabinet secretary Alfred Mutua first made the announcement of Kenya’s involvement in the mission in April 2023, after a meeting with Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly.
He stated that Kenya took up the job as an expression of solidarity with people in distress in the Caribbean nation.
Further, Mutua stated that Kenya committed to the mission because it could afford to send its soldiers adding that the operation will not be funded by Kenyan taxpayers.
What is the Interest and Involvement of the United States in the Mission
The United States (US) has been on the forefront of encouraging Kenya to participate in the mission despite the obvious absence of its soldiers in the mission.
At the same time, critics have indicated that the US had failed missions in the troubled Caribbean nation in the 1990s. An international peacekeeping force from the nation also brought back cholera.
However, responding to the allegations, Mutua stated that the US had put the matter into consideration but decided not to deploy officers because Haiti was an immediate neighbor and as such could not lead the mission.
Subsequently, the Biden led administration has committed to boost the mission by seeking Ksh14.8 billion from congress ($100 million).
Also Read: Boost for Ruto as U.S Pledges Ksh14 Billion for Haiti Operation
It is expected that the Pentagon will also provide another Ksh14.8 billion ($100 million) of support including intelligence, airlifts, communications and medical funds to support training for the Haitian National Police.
Notably, the funds will be in addition to the Ksh72.4 billion ($500 million) that the U.S already provides in development and humanitarian assistance to Haiti.
What Risks Does the Mission pose to Kenya and its Soldiers
CS Mutua on September 26 explained that the international force will be tasked with protecting hospitals, schools, airports, ports and traffic intersections in collaboration with the Haitian National Police.
Moreover, Mutua insisted that the 1,000 officers who will be sent to Haiti will not be expected to engage gangs that have taken over key regions in Haiti.
However, many have expressed doubt as to whether sending the forces alone would be enough. According to some international leaders, the force will be insufficient without any notable political progress.
Earlier, China’s U.N. Ambassador Zhang Jun stated that while Beijing appreciated Kenya’s willingness to lead the mission, “without a legitimate, effective, and responsible government in place, any external support can hardly have any lasting effects.”
The international force will be contending with the aftermath of two crises. The first one is the assassination of former Haitian President Jovenel Moïse in 2021.
Also Read: Little-Known Facts About Haiti; Where Kenya & U.S Have Interests
The second crisis is the 2010 earthquake that erased decades of progress in rebuilding stability in Haiti.
Many others are concerned about the number of soldiers in the mission because the estimated number of active gang members in Port-au-Prince in Haiti is 20,000. A huge number against Kenya’s 1,000 soldiers.
At the same time, the gangs are heavily armed, the soldiers are not familiar with the terrain or the local language.
What is Kenya’s Internal Security Status, Are the Soldiers Prepared?
Many international leaders who know Haiti’s history are skeptical about the mission, especially because of earlier failed attempts.
Speaking before the Senate on October 4, Defense Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale admitted that Kenya was dealing with several internal security matters including cattle rustling and banditry in the North Rift Region.
“It is sad that at one time we were number 4 in Peace Keeping Mission, and we are now number 41,” Duale stated.
However, the CS stated that the government was investing in modernizing the security forces including investing in armored vehicles to protect security officers from IUDs.
“We are investing heavily in the modernization of our Security forces from intelligence to the police. We have heavily invested in buying armored vehicles that will protect our troops from IUDs,” added the CS.
Moreover, CS Mutua revealed that the government had already started teaching French to police officers who would be deployed to Haiti.
What is the Exit and Entry Strategy for Kenyan Soldiers
Senator Boni Khalwale presented a question to the Defense CS on October 4, asking him if there was a laid-out plan to fly the soldiers in and out of the Caribbean nation.
“Haiti is 12,119 km away it takes 13 hours of flying to reach Haiti and cheapest flight costs Ksh220,700.
“Given these statistics what are the benefits and intended consequences the Government hopes to achieve by taking our troops to Haiti,” Khalwale questioned.
In response, Duale stated that he would not answer the particular question because it was under the jurisdiction of the interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki.
“Kindly allow me to refer that question to the CS Interior. It is not my domain to respond,” he stated.
At the time of publication of this article, there was no known elaborate plan on how the security personnel would be flown into the country or any known exit plan shared by the interior CS.
Also Read: UN Allows Kenya to Send Police to Haiti, Russia & China Abstain
Haiti’s Security Troubles
After attaining independence, Haiti saw a major increase in instability and gang dominance, resulting in the killings of four sitting presidents.
This wave of insecurity and violence may be traced back to Haiti’s turbulent post-independence period, when the country became a breeding ground for political and economic disarray, compelling the United States to intervene militarily in 1915.
