Members of Parliament have approved the planned deployment of police officers in Haiti as part of the United Nations mission.
After a heated debate on Thursday, November 16, morning- the MPs by acclamation voted to approve the deployment.
However, some members drawn from the minority side had voiced their reservations against the deployment and stated adamantly their opposition.
The greenlight from parliament came despite the pending status of case filed in the High Court to stop the plans of sending troops to the Carribean Island nation.
“Taking into consideration the recommendations of the joint committee, this House approves the deployment of officers of the National Police Service to the Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti,” the speaker read the proposal before putting the question.
In his presentation, Leader of Majority in the National Assembly Kimani Ichung’wah passionately defended the plan stating that Kenyan police officers have in the past undertaken successful missions abroad.
He gave the example of Croatia where Kenyan Police took part in a peace mission- despite the differences in race and geographical distance.
“Our police officers took an oath to protect lives and serve the nation in everywhere they will be deployed,” Ichung’wah said.
“We therefore cannot discourage by telling them that they are being used as Guinea pigs.”
Also Read: 5 Burning Questions About Kenya’s Mission in Haiti
According to him, serving in Haiti would be a fulfillment of the patriotism in representing the nation in such a major international assignment.
However, the opposition led by Leader of Minority Opiyo Wandayi vehemently opposed the plans noting that it was akin to using police officers as “Guinea pigs”.
He further questioned the origin of the proposal to deploy Kenya’s police officers- pointing out that Haiti did not have a substantive government to make such a request.
MPs defy critics to approve Haiti mission
Regarding the petition filed by Third Way Alliance party leader Ekuru Aukot, Deputy Speaker Gladys Shollei who presided over the session stated that the house did not receive the petition.
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Prior to the debate, a joint parliamentary committee comprising members from the National Assembly and Senate had deliberated on the planned mission.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki who appeared before the committee spoke to the various issues raised including financial implications of the operation.
In his submissions, he reiterated that Kenya would only proceed with the mission after securing the requisite resources for the mission.
The deployment is expected to commence in early 2024, months after the United Nations Security Council approved the mission.
