Rapid Deployment Unit

• In the absence of a government in Haiti, plans to deploy Kenyan troops are on hold.
• Oscar Gakuo Mwangi, who studies radicalisation and counter-terrorism in Kenya, takes a look at Kenya’s preparedness to take on Haiti’s urban gangs.

What do we know about the Kenyan standby contingent?

• Other countries that have formally agreed to provide personnel are Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Chad and Jamaica.
• The initial period of the mission is 12 months following the adoption of UN Resolution 2699 (2023).
• The Kenyan contingent, which is on standby, consists of 1,000 officers drawn from National Police Service units: the paramilitary General Service Unit, Rapid Deployment Unit, Anti-Stock Theft Unit and Border Police Unit.
• In Haiti, the officers will wear the jungle green uniforms that they normally use when deployed to operational areas.

What kind of training have they had?

• The discussions covered pre-deployment requirements like preparing the mission’s documents – the training curriculum, the concept of operations and protocol around discipline and use of force, and vetting processes.
• In my view as a political scientist who assesses Kenya’s counter-terrorism polices and operations, the Kenyan contingent has sufficient training and the requisite expertise.
• Despite their poor human rights records, various Kenya police units play a vital role in reducing violence in the country.
• The police rely on local and international security cooperation and training, intelligence gathering techniques and the adoption of modern security equipment.

What international support can they expect if deployed?

• These costs include US$1.5 million for training, US$9.1 million for weapons, ammunition and anti-riot equipment, and US$157 million for administrative support.
• The US has pledged US$59 million to cover the costs of airlifting personnel and equipment to Haiti.
• The US is already supporting Kenya in establishing the mission structure and training personnel for deployment.
• Though Kenya is facing a fiscal crisis over high debt levels, the government can finance the costs through a supplementary budget.

What’s the case for deploying, and the case against?

• The deployment will contribute towards Kenya’s role in enhancing global peace and security, and its stature in international affairs.
• It will also strengthen Kenya’s position as an anchor state in regional, continental and global affairs.

Oscar Gakuo Mwangi does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.