Kitutu Chache Member of Parliament Antony Kibagendi has censured the government’s plans to send police officers to Haiti.
In July, Kenya pledged to deploy 1,000 police officers to help the Caribbean country fight violent gangs that have largely overrun the capital Port-au-Prince.
While Kenya’s role in the mission has been welcomed by world leaders including US President Joe Biden, the move has raised concerns among Kenyan leaders.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Monday, October 2, the first-time lawmaker faulted the Kenya Kwanza government for pushing the deal ‘too fast’.
The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition MP further ironically said the government should deploy the officers who were dealing with protestors so that they can get experience in handling future protests within the country.
“The same police officers who were terrorizing Kenyans during demonstrations should be deployed to Haiti to restore peace so that they are better prepared when we have the next protests,” he said.
Kibangendi’s remarks come at a time when the UN Security Council is on Monday, October 2, expected to vote on the deployment of the Kenya Police to Haiti.
The council will develop the framework for and authorize a one-year deployment of an international force, with a review after nine months.
If approved by the UN, Kenya will deploy its force to Haiti by January 2024.
“The 15 members of the Council will consider approving what is known as a Chapter VII provision of the UN Charter that authorizes the use of force after all other measures to maintain international peace and security are exhausted,” UN News reports.
