NAIROBI, Dec 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Haitian police chief Frantz Elbe is in Kenya for a three-day visit ahead of plans to deploy police to help fight gang violence in the Caribbean country.
Elbe and his delegation met the Kenyan police chief Japhet Koome and other senior security officials for “bilateral security discussions”, the Kenyan National Police Service said.
The visit is part of the preparation for the deployment of more than 1,000 police officers from Kenya for the controversial Multinational Mission to Support Security (MSS), the UN approved two months ago, Kenyan local media report.
The first contingent of about 300 officers is scheduled for deployment by February next year, according to privately-owned The Star newspaper.
Last month, the Kenyan parliament approved the deployment, but a high court extended orders barring the move, pending the outcome of a legal challenge into the plan.
The plan has faced widespread criticism, mainly due to a poor record of previous interventions in Haiti and a record of rights abuses by Kenyan police.
Kenya’s main opposition leader, Raila Odinga, has condemned the proposed deployment. But President William Ruto has defended the plan, saying that “Africa is keen to contribute to the freedom and security of Haiti”.
About 300 gangs are active across Haiti and 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, is under gang control. — NNN-AGENCIES
