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ODM opposes deployment of police to Haiti, citing national security concerns

Kenyan police officers quelling protestors during anti-government demos in Nairobi on June 21, 2023. (Photo by Gerald Anderson / ANADOLU AGENCY / Anadolu Agency via AFP)

By Dennis Tarus | Thursday, October 12, 2023

The party also urged MPs to oppose the deployment of officers should the matter be brought before Parliament.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has strongly voiced its concern and opposition over the deployment of Kenyan police officers to Haiti to quell political unrest in the country.

In a statement on Tuesday, ODM said the decision made by the Kenyan Government to lead a Multinational Security Support mission to Haiti was ill-advised, opportunistic, and undermines the spirit of Pan-Africanism.

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The Orange party headed by the opposition leader Raila Odinga said Kenya's National Police Service is mandated constitutionally to enforce national security and does not possess an does not possess an external mandate.

ODM also took issue with the current internal security challenges faced in the country citing the cases in Sondu, Lamu, the North Rift and along the Somali border.

"The recommended ratio of police officers via population is one for every 450 citizens. Kenya's ratio is around 1 for every 1,000 citizens. We simply don't have policemen to spare," read the statement signed by ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna.

No immediate threat

ODM said Haiti's situation though tragic, doesn't pose any immediate threat to Kenya's national security as the two nations don't even share a border.

"Previous interventions in Haiti have been conducted by some of the most powerful nations on earth, with disastrous results on each occasion," ODM said.

"The breakdown of law and order in Haiti, are not superficial issues that require mere policing. The root causes go deeper than that."

The party urged President Ruto's administration to reconsider its decision.

It also urged MPs to oppose the deployment of officers should the matter be brought before Parliament.

"Our focus should remain on addressing Kenya's pressing internal security issues, improving our law enforcement, and safeguarding the well-being of our police officers and citizens," ODM said.

The High Court on Monday temporarily suspended the government's deployment plan despite the UN Security Council last week approving the move.

The court granted an interim injunction brought by opposition politician Ekuru Aukot, who argued the deployment was unconstitutional as it was not backed by any law or treaty.

Kenya had already promised to send 1,000 police officers to the troubled Caribbean nation.