NAIROBI, Kenya
Kenya's opposition leader, Raila Odinga, has questioned the country's decision to lead a peacekeeping mission in Haiti to combat gang violence there, terming it a "wrong move".
Mr Odinga, in an interview
with a local TV station on Thursday, said the planned police deployment in
Haiti was not Kenya's priority, adding that the East African region already had
"enough problems".
"Before you even come to
Africa, Haiti is at the doorstep of the United States which is the most
powerful nation in the world. What is it that is so unique about Kenya that it is
being chosen to lead the multinational force in Haiti?" Mr Odinga said.
Mr Odinga said the situation
in Haiti was dangerous, warning that the planned deployment risked the lives of
the Kenyan police.
"When coffins start
arriving here, that's when we shall regret. Haiti is dangerous and there's a
possibility our police will encounter problems there," he said.
"The problem in Haiti is
political, it does not just require guns, it requires talks," Mr Odinga
added.
On Monday, the United Nations
Security Council approved the deployment for a year with a review after nine
months.
Kenya's President William Ruto
pledged “not to fail the people of Haiti”.
However, some critics have opposed the move, expressing doubt over the ability of Kenyan police to take on Haiti's gangs.
In addition, 951 people have
been kidnapped.
“In response to the ongoing
gang violence and pervasive insecurity, there has been a rise in ‘popular
justice’ movements or self-defence groups, also leading to violence.” She said
in a report.
Since 24 April up to mid-August, more than 350 people have been lynched by local people and vigilante groups. Those killed have included 310 alleged gang members, 46 members of the public and a police officer.
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