NAIROBI Kenya January 29 -The United States has said it supports the ongoing international efforts to deploy a Multinational Security Support mission for Haiti, despite the January 26 Kenya’s High Court ruling that declared the deployment illegal.
The US Department of State spokesperson Mathew Miller on Monday said their commitment to the Haitian people remains unwavering, and urged the international community to urgently provide support for the mission.
“We reaffirm our support of ongoing international efforts to deploy a Multinational Security Support mission for Haiti, as requested by Haiti and authorized by UN Security Council Resolution 2699,” the spokesperson said.
He added: “The United States acknowledges the ruling by the Republic of Kenya’s High Court regarding the deployment of Kenyan police in support of the Multinational Security Support mission to Haiti and the Government of Kenya’s stated intent to challenge this ruling.”
The statement added it is urgent that the international community respond to the unprecedented levels of gang violence and destabilizing forces preying upon the Haitian people.
“At the same time, we call for the restoration of democratic order through an inclusive political process in Haiti. We continue to urge Haitian stakeholders to reach consensus on power-sharing and inclusive governance. The only legitimate path to long-term peace and stability is through free and fair elections,” he said.
Kenya’s plan to deploy police to Haiti suffered a blow on January 26 after a court stopped the mission.
High Court judge Justice Chacha Mwita said the National Security Council, which includes the President, does not have the power to deploy regular police outside of the country.
Justice Chacha Mwita noted that the National Security Council and National Police Service do not have powers to deploy police outside the country.
Mwita made the ruling following an application made by Thirdway Alliance Party leader Ekuru Aukot who wanted the court to block the deployment stating that it was illegal.
“To be clear, Article 240 does not mandate the Council to deploy police officers outside Kenya. Deployment should be as provided for in part 14 of the Act and only to a reciprocating country,” he ruled.
“It is not contested that there is no reciprocal arrangement between Kenya and Haiti and for that reason, there can be no deployment of police to that country.”
The judge acknowledged that Kenya’s offer to help mitigate a humanitarian crisis in Haiti was noble, however, he maintained that such deployment needed to be undertaken in accordance with the Constitution.
The Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has however said they will appeal the ruling.
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