• The former Tharaka Nithi Senator also urged legislators not to politicise the Haiti mission.
• On Saturday, Kindiki said the request for deployment will be submitted to Parliament next week for approval.
Image: MINA
Kenya will not spend any money on the deployment of National Police Service Officers to Haiti.
Interior CS Kithure Kindiki on Sunday made it clear that the cost of deployment will be catered for by the United Nations from contributions of member states.
"Kenya's participation in the Haiti peacekeeping mission will not in any way compromise or undermine our commitment and responsibility to protect citizens and their property," he said.
Kithure said he was optimistic that Kenya will succeed in Haiti as we have in previous peacekeeping missions in Chile, Jamaica, Grenada, Burundi, Chad, Nigeria and Mauritius are among the countries that have confirmed the deployment of their officers to Haiti.
"It is a great honour for Kenya not only to be considered to contribute troops to peacekeeping mission in Haiti, but also lead the exercise," he said.
The CS, however, said the pursuit against bandits, terrorists and other armed criminals will continue as the government balances its national and international obligations.
The former Tharaka Nithi Senator also urged legislators not to politicise the Haiti mission.
On Saturday, Kindiki said the request for deployment will be submitted to Parliament next week for approval.
"The National Security Council chaired by President William Ruto met yesterday (Friday) and approved the deployment request for submission to Parliament next week in accordance with Article 240 of the Constitution,” he said.
Kindiki assured Kenyans that Members of Parliament are expected to deliberate on the request and make a decision in their best interest.
He also insisted that the deployment will not in any way compromise or undermine the capacity of Kenya’s security forces to safeguard the country's safety and security.
Haiti has been grappling with a surge in violence since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021 at his private residence in the capital, Port-au-Prince, triggering calls for a security intervention to complement the efforts of understaffed and under-resourced Haiti national police force.
The United Nations Security Council on October 2, 2023, passed a resolution to deploy an international security force to Haiti, led by Kenya.
Kenya plans to send more than 1,000 police officers to combat gangs in the Caribbean country.
Already, the first group of police officers to be deployed have started strenuous training ahead of the mission which many pundits have termed as dangerous.
The group of about 200 officers was sent to Nandi Hills where they started the training on October 10, 2023.
Officials aware of the developments said the team will later move to Magadi, Isiolo, Kitui and later in Embakasi before being sent to the mission.
However, a Nairobi court on Monday stopped on a temporary basis the planned deployment of police officers to Haiti.
Justice Chacha Mwita stopped Kindiki from deploying the unit until a case was filed by Thirdway Alliance is heard and determined.
"A conservatory order is hereby issued restraining the respondents from deploying police officers to Haiti or any other country until 24th October 2023," read part of the order.
The Third Way Alliance party leader Ekuru Aukot sued President William Ruto and his administration in a bid to block the peacekeeping mission that will see the deployment of at least 1,000 police officers to the gang-ridden nation.
On Saturday, however, the President confirmed to the country that the government is ready to deploy the officers for the Haiti mission subject to parliamentary approval.
The President sought to allay fears that the mission is dangerous saying Kenya's participation in the mission contributes to its renowned anchor role in contributing to international peace and security.