Haitian Police Boss Visits IG Koome Ahead Of Kenya's Security Mission In The Caribbean Country

• Frantz Elbe, the Director General of the Haitian National Police, has visited Inspector General Japhet Koome at the NPS headquarters in Nairobi
• The two police bosses are expected to have bilateral security discussions between the two law enforcement agencies
• Elbe will be in the country for three days with the Haitian delegation, as Kenyan security personnel continue to prepare for the peacekeeping mission

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

The Director General of the Haitian National Police, Frantz Elbe, has paid a courtesy call to his Kenya's counterpart, Inspector General Japhet Koome, ahead of deploying Kenyan security personnel to a peace mission in the Caribbean state.

Kenya had agreed to support the country by sending 1,000 officers to fight the marauding gang that has threatened Haitians for a long time.

"On December 13, 2023, the Director General of the Haitian National Police, Mr Frantz Elbe, paid a courtesy call on the Inspector General of the National Police Service, IG Japhet Koome, MGH, EBS, HSC, NDC (K) at NPS Headquarters in Nairobi," said the National Police Service.

Why did the Haitian National Police boss visit Kenya?

Elbe, who was accompanied by the Haitian delegation, would be in the country until Friday, December 15.

Their discussions will revolve around security matters between the two law enforcement states.

"The Haitian Police Chief leading the Haitian delegation is on a three-day official visit to Kenya for bilateral security discussions between the two law enforcement agencies until Friday, December 15, 2023," it added.

The Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service, Noor Gabow, also graced the meeting.

Court bars deployment of police officers to Haiti

Amid concerns by Kenyans about why the country had to extend its generosity to the embattled Caribbean island, Thirdway Alliance party leader Ekuru Aukot filed a petition questioning the constitutionality of the measure, which could imperil the US-backed operation.

Considering the petition, Justice Chacha Mwita granted a conservatory order barring the government from sending hundreds of police officers to the state.

"Upon considering the application, the supporting affidavit, and the grounds on which the application and petition are premised, I am satisfied that the application and petition raise substantial issues of national importance and public interest that require urgent consideration. A conservatory order is hereby issued restraining the respondents from deploying police officers to Haiti or any other country until 24th October 2023," Chacha directed.

The United States (US) pledged a sum of KSh 14.6 billion to back the Kenya-led peacekeeping mission. In addition, the team will enjoy medical support, airlift intelligence gathering, and communication.

William Ruto welcomes UNSC approval of Haiti mission

The court's ruling came a week after the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) approved the security mission to the foreign state.

President William Ruto emphasized that the mission should be viewed as a humanitarian effort to save the lives and livelihoods of hundreds of Haitians who are trapped by the gang.

“The situation in Haiti demands, as a matter of humanitarian consideration, moral responsibility, and fundamental justice, that actions be scaled up significantly to meet the demands of emergency relief, humanitarian aid, support for livelihoods, and major interventions in public health and environmental protection,” Ruto said.