President William Ruto told Reuters on Tuesday that Kenya Police deployment to Haiti is on despite a recent court ruling describing the move as unconstitutional.
Ruto said Haiti had asked for help months ago, and he expected a request would come shortly that would satisfy the demands of the court.
“So that mission can go ahead as soon as next week, if all the paperwork is done between Kenya and Haiti on the bilateral route that has been suggested by the court,” Ruto said following an Italian-Africa summit in Rome.
The international force is aimed at tackling rampant gang violence in the Caribbean nation, which killed nearly 5,000 people last year, and is due to be initially financed by the United States.
Asked if discussions were underway with Haiti to get the necessary request, Ruto said: “Absolutely. Haiti have actually written formally, not today, several months ago.”
Haiti first sought help in 2022 as gang violence surged but was unable to find anyone willing to take charge, with many foreign governments wary of supporting the impoverished country’s unelected administration.
