Kenya's Haiti mission in limbo as urgency grows

In an effort to tackle the escalating violence in Haiti’s capital, Kenya has announced that its police officers will soon be heading to the Caribbean country to confront the rampaging gangs. However, challenges such as worsening insecurity and uncertainties surrounding financing are casting doubt on the mission’s overall prospects.

The Kenyan government initially committed to leading an international security mission last July and has recently signed an agreement with Haiti’s government on March 1. The agreement aims to address concerns raised by a domestic judge who found the existing plan to be unlawful.

The United States and other influential powers are advocating for the swift deployment of Kenyan officers, which is seen as a crucial step to allow other African and Caribbean countries to also send security forces.

Prime Minister Ariel Henry has been unable to return to Haiti due to the escalating violence since signing the deal in Kenya. He announced his intention to resign once a transition council and temporary replacement have been appointed.

While Kenya’s army has previously been deployed to countries like Somalia, this mission represents a new challenge as its police officers have never been deployed in such large numbers before. Additionally, Nairobi is facing unresolved issues that need to be addressed before the mission can proceed.

Murithi Mutiga, the program director for Africa at the International Crisis Group, highlighted concerns about the deteriorating security situation in Haiti. He suggested that the escalating violence may prompt a reassessment of the mission by the Kenyan authorities.

Despite these challenges, Kenya’s presidency and government have remained tight-lipped about the situation, declining to provide any comments in response to inquiries.

Financing is identified as a major challenge according to diplomats familiar with the matter. While the United States has pledged $300 million for the mission, only a small fraction has been deposited into the U.N.’s trust fund as of Monday. Efforts are underway to secure the remaining funds through collaboration between the Biden administration and Congress.

Kenya has requested upfront payment for the deployment costs, but U.N. rules mandate that funds must be used for reimbursing expenses already incurred. This financial hurdle may require Kenya to seek direct payment from another country willing to fund the operation.

In a bid to address logistical and equipment needs, the U.S. announced $100 million in Defense Department funding for the mission. However, it remains unclear if this allocation will cover all the expenses requested by the Kenyan government, which has pledged to send 1,000 officers as part of the mission expected to involve up to 5,000 personnel.

Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki informed reporters that Kenya is currently in the pre-deployment stage, indicating progress in resolving legal issues. A High Court judge had previously deemed the government’s plan unlawful, citing the lack of a reciprocal agreement with the host country.

Concerns have been mounting following the surge in violence in Port-au-Prince, where gangs have besieged the international airport and released thousands of prisoners. Criticism of the mission has intensified, with opposition politicians raising concerns about the dangers and lack of national interest for Kenya.

Despite these challenges, President Ruto has emphasized the mission’s importance as a humanitarian effort, expressing solidarity with Haiti’s plight. The decision to send international forces to Haiti was made at the request of the Haitian government in October 2022, with foreign governments initially hesitant to participate in the mission.

(Reporting by Aaron Ross; Additional reporting by David Lewis, Duncan Miriri and Giulia Paravicini in Nairobi, Michelle Nichols in New York, and Daphne Psaledakis in Kingston; Editing by Ed Osmond)