Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Monday, March 11, announced that the proposed Kenyan mission to Haiti is currently in the pre-deployment stage.
Speaking in Machakos County, Kindiki noted that although the deployment had been halted by the courts, the governments of Kenya and Haiti had reached an agreement on the same at a time when gangs have seized control of most parts of the Caribbean nation.
"There was a small court matter but it has been resolved. We are now in the pre-deployment stage all the other programs are in place," he revealed.
CS Kindiki explained that Kenyan troops will be part of the multinational team set to quell chaos in Haiti. He emphasised that this was part of Kenya's international obligations.
He further revealed that all other programs had been put in place including the status of forces agreement and the laws on detention arrest among other enforcement measures.
Kindiki's update came a few days after Haiti declared a State of Emergency owing to the increased chaos and violence. Gangs have taken over the country disrupting operations at airports and other major sectors.
The escalating war in the country has raised concerns about the safety of Kenyan police officers who are set to be deployed to the Caribbean country.
On Friday, March 8, reports indicated that several police officers had backed down from the mission arguing that their safety and well-being were not guaranteed.
Despite the safety and language barrier concerns, President William Ruto has reiterated that the government was committed to deploying the officers. He recently signed the agreement with Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry to pave the way for the deployment.
On Sunday, March 10, Ruto on a phone call with American Secretary of State Anthony Blinken vowed to honour the country's commitment to send the officers to combat the gangs in Haiti.
Additionally, the United States and the UN have been at the forefront to expedite the deployment. The US last week declined plans to send some of its troops to the war-torn nation.
On Sunday, CARICOM, a coalition of Caribbean nations summoned several envoys from the US, UN and Canada to discuss ways to ensure 1,000 officers from Kenya are dispatched to Haiti.
Guyanese Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo who communicated the message noted that the US and other officials should come up with better measures to regain the trust of the Haitian people.
"Criminals have now taken over the country. There is no government, it is becoming a failed society," Jadgeo added.
