The High Court on Monday, October 9 issued a conservatory order temporarily blocking the deployment of Kenyan police officers to Haiti.
Justice E.C. Mwita, while delivering the orders, also restrained the state from deploying police officers to any other country until October 24, 2023, when a case filed by Thirdway Alliance will be heard.
“That a conservatory order is hereby issued restraining the respondents from deploying police officers to Haiti or any other country until 24th October 2023,” Mwita directed.
The High Court judge also said the respondents should file responses to the petition within three days of service and file a supplementary affidavit, if any, together with written submissions on the petition not exceeding 10 pages.
The order comes after the National Police Service started the process of selecting police officers who are set to be deployed for Haiti's peace mission.
According to an internal signal to all platoons within the General Service Unit accessed by Nairobi Leo, NPS ordered for the names of qualified persons to be urgently submitted.
"The unit is in the process of selection exercise of suitable officers for a special assignment," the circular read in part.
"In view of this, you are urgently required to submit names of officers."
Each platoon has been tasked with selecting two police Constables and one corporal. For the above rank, officers must have at least five years of active service in the National Police Service.
The officers must be aged between 20 and 55 years, must not have more than two convictions and the last one should not be under six months.
Additionally, they should be mentally and physically fit, able to handle firearms safely, and have proven shooting skills.
President William Ruto in a statement on Tuesday, October 3 expressed confidence that Kenyan police officers will succeed in restoring order in Haiti.
The Head of State also observed that the Haiti mission is of special significance to Kenya and of critical urgency.
“We experienced the harrowing brunt of colonialism, as well as the long, difficult, and frustrating struggle for freedom against those that can influence international institutions to frustrate justice,” said Ruto.
