7 Essential Criteria for Deploying 1,000 Kenyan Police Officers to Haiti Mission

The government has initiated the recruitment process for the deployment of 1,000 police officers to lead a peace mission in Haiti. These recruits include a diverse array of specialists, such as 35 drivers, six sign-language experts, 12 priests and pastors, and eight mechanics.

According to a memo dated October 7, distributed to all General Service Units (GSU) and acquired by Kenyans.co.ke, the selection of these officers necessitates nomination by their respective supervisors. Furthermore, candidates must hold the rank of either Police Corporal or Police Constable.

This deployment signals Kenya’s commitment to international peacekeeping efforts, with a focus on providing specialized skills to support the mission in Haiti.

The government’s deliberate selection process ensures that the team consists of qualified individuals who can contribute effectively to the peacekeeping endeavor.

All special assignment officers must possess more than five years of experience within the National Police Service (NPS), aged between 20 and 40 years as well as not have had more than two convictions in their lifetimes. The last conviction should have occurred in the last 6 months.

Other requirements are that the servicemen and women must be mentally, physically and medically fit, possess proven shooting skills, proficient in English and have clear command and control.

The requirements will also be applied to specialist officers who must be aged between 20 years and 40 years.

Kenya, which agreed to lead the peace mission in the troubled country, is awaiting approval from Kenyan Parliament to start working.

The United Nations Security Council already approved the mission which is aimed to provide relief to the troubled North American country.

“The request by the United Nations Security Council for the deployment of Police officers to Haiti will be subject to Parliamentary approval,” Interior CS Kithure Kindiki stated on Sunday.

“Article 240 of the Constitution requires Parliament to approve the deployment of security forces to any peacekeeping mission in foreign nations.”

The officers will be assisted by other contingents from partner countries including Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Antigua and Barbuda.

It is estimated that millions of citizens in Haiti have been forced to flee their homes after gangs infiltrated the country and burnt down some police stations. The most affected area is its capital city of Port-au-Prince.