Mudavadi Refutes Claims of Kenya Training 2,000 Haitian Police Officers

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has refuted reports suggesting that the National Police Service (NPS) of Kenya would be responsible for training 2,000 Haitian police officers.

The controversy emerged following recommendations made by an advance team dispatched to Haiti which proposed that the Caribbean nation's security officers undergo an intensive training program in law enforcement and combat tactics. Mudavadi clarifies Kenya's position stating that the country had committed to deploying 1,000 police officers to Haiti and that the process would be conducted with utmost transparency. He firmly mentions, "We have not reached that level at all, and if they are going to be trained, we are not going to hide anything whatsoever."

The Prime Cabinet Secretary further explains that Kenya's involvement in the mission would be carried out under the auspices of the United Nations framework for deployment thus ensuring a high level of openness and accountability throughout the process. While the possibility of the NPS providing training to Haitian police officers remains a subject of discussion, Mudavadi reassures the nation that any decision in this regard would be communicated openly and honestly. As of the current situation, there are no reports of 2,000 individuals undergoing such training within Kenya's borders.

The initial deployment of 200 Kenyan police officers to Haiti, rather than the agreed-upon 1,000, is part of a larger multinational program sanctioned by the United Nations and financially supported by the United States. Kenya's contribution to this endeavour involves a modest contingent of police personnel who will work in collaboration with security forces from various other nations. It is worth noting that several countries, including Chile, Jamaica, Grenada, Paraguay, Burundi, Chad, Nigeria, and Mauritius, have expressed their willingness to join the multinational forces in this mission.

Mudavadi reiterates Kenya's steadfast commitment to gradually increasing its presence in Haiti until the full complement of 1,000 troops is achieved. The overarching objective of this mission is to tackle the security challenges faced by Haiti while fostering international cooperation and supporting peacekeeping efforts in the region.