National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi has raised pertinent questions about the underlying motives behind the deployment of police officers to Haiti.
The minority Leader made his remarks after Kenya and Haiti on 1st March 2024 signed an agreement on the deployment of 1,000 police officers to the Multi-National Security Support Mission to the Caribbean nation.
Wandayi’s caution emerged amidst a rising tide of concerns surrounding the safety and feasibility of dispatching Kenyan police officers to the Caribbean nation, which has long grappled with political instability and rampant violence.
He questioned whether external pressures or financial incentives were influencing the government’s stance, urging President Ruto to reconsider before it’s too late.
“What is driving the Kenyan government to insist on taking these police officers to Haiti? Is it Pressure from outside or is its mere pursuit of money. What is it?” He posed.
Central to Wandayi’s critique is his assertion that Haiti lacks the legal capacity to engage in any form of international agreements, whether bilateral or multilateral.
The minority leader also drew attention to the assassination of Haiti’s former president, highlighting the grave threat posed by armed assailants who stormed the presidential residence.
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Opiyo Wandayi Worried About the Haiti Mission
According to Wandayi members of the Haitian militia purportedly warned their Prime Minister against returning to Haiti following the agreement at State House Nairobi.
On Thursday 29th February 2024 it was reported that a heavy gunfire paralyzed Haiti’s capital as the gang leader warned he would try to capture the country’s police chief and government ministers.
The move came during the absence of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who was in Kenya trying to finalize details for the deployment of a foreign armed force to Haiti to help combat gangs.
This unprecedented interference by armed groups in state affairs prompted Wandayi to question the integrity of the Haitian government and the safety of Kenyan officers set to be deployed.
Also Read: Gunfire at Haiti Airport Hours After Ruto Meeting with Prime Minister
He further underscored the seriousness of the situation by emphasizing the militia’s capacity to declare their prime minister “Persona Non Grata.”
“If they can declare their sitting prime minister “Persona Non grata” what of our helpless police officers who will be leaving here in their thousands?” he questioned.
In a direct appeal to President Ruto, Wandayi called for a thorough review of the decision, emphasizing the potential catastrophic consequences if the mission proceeds unchecked.
“I want to appeal to Hon William Ruto to rethink this decision, to review this decision and indeed resign this decision. Because we are likely as a country to suffer immense losses, untold losses if this mission takes off,” he said.
