Kenyan police will deploy to Haiti within weeks to lead a UN-backed multinational mission aimed at tackling gang violence.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Noor Gabow, General Service Unit (GSU) head of Operations Samuel Chebet and head of Operations Administration Police (AP) Geoffrey Otunge will lead the troops in Haiti.
According to sources, the three police officers will enjoy substantial benefits, including free meals, accommodation, and free tickets to and from Haiti.
Mr Gabow, who will coordinate the mission from both Nairobi and Washington, will have all his travel and accommodation expenses paid for, including a monthly allowance of close to Sh1.5 million.
Mr Samuel Chebet will command officers from the GSU, while Geoffrey Otunge, the Director of Operations at the AP headquarters, will command the Administration Police (AP).
The two are well-trained and experienced to lead the mission and will also enjoy huge perks, including an allowance of close to Sh1 million.
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On Monday, June 24, President William Ruto flagged off the first group of 400 police officers to leave for the Haiti operations.
More than 1,000 police officers will join other teams in deploying to Haiti to fight gangs terrorizing locals.
Unlike their seniors, the junior police officers will be granted fewer benefits despite embarking on a risky mission outside their jurisdiction.
According to an officer who spoke to The Standard, the only commitment they have been given is that each officer, in addition to their normal salaries back home, which will still be paid, will receive a monthly allowance of between Sh150,000 and Sh200,000 for the lowest-ranking officers.
Allegedly, the officers had initially been promised Sh100,000 before departure, but were only given Sh20,000 to take care of their shopping before departure.
Kenya, which is leading the 2,500-member security force, has agreed with the Haitian government on rules of engagement for the security personnel, who could face fierce opposition from the well-armed Haitian gangs that have taken over the country’s capital and overwhelmed local police.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki earlier revealed that the deployment of 1000 Kenyan police to Haiti will cost Sh36.5 billion.
He explained that the money which will cater for costs of training, administrative support, weapon, ammunition and anti-riot equipment, transport, technical equipment and general equipment, will be obtained from UN member states.
“The resources for this mission will be mobilised among the member states of the United Nations. They have already identified the way the funds will be mobilised and made available for us,” Kindiki told Members of Parliament.
“Unless all resources are mobilised and availed, our troops will not leave the country. They will not leave Kenyan soil until the equipment required on the ground in Haiti is in place,” he added.
Apart from Kenya, other countries that will send officers to Haiti are Chile, Jamaica, Grenada, Paraguay, Burundi, Chad, Nigeria and Mauritius.