Kenya Police Chief Refutes Claims of Unpaid Officers in Haiti Mission

Kenya’s police chief denied reports that police officers in Haiti peacekeeping mission had not been paid for three months, asserting they were paid up to October. The statement followed complaints from deployed officers about delayed salaries, amidst Kenya’s efforts to combat gang violence in Haiti as part of a UN-backed mission.

The Inspector General of the Kenya Police, Douglas Kanja, has publicly refuted claims that police officers engaged in the multinational peacekeeping mission in Haiti have not received their salaries for three months. Speaking on Thursday, Mr. Kanja confirmed that the officers had been compensated “up to the end of October.” This statement follows allegations from Kenyan media, which reported that officers on the ground expressed concerns regarding unpaid wages. Kenya is at the forefront of a contingent deployed to Haiti, aimed at combating escalating gang violence in the nation, marking this as the fourth substantial international military or police intervention in Haiti since the crisis began.

The recent denial of unpaid salaries by Kenya’s police chief comes amidst a backdrop of heightened concerns regarding the conditions of peacekeeping forces in Haiti. Kenya has taken a leading role in a United Nations-backed mission to aid in stabilizing the Haitian environment plagued by gang-related violence. The deployment, which began in June, represents a significant commitment by Kenya and illustrates the ongoing need for international assistance in addressing Haiti’s complex security issues.

In summary, Inspector General Douglas Kanja has clarified that Kenyan police officers stationed in Haiti are current with their pay, countering claims of overdue salaries. This clarification is significant as it addresses the morale and concerns of deployed officers during a critical peacekeeping mission aimed at restoring order in Haiti, a country facing severe gang violence.

Original Source: www.voiceofalexandria.com