A Kenyan court has temporarily halted the government’s plan to send police officers to Haiti as part of a UN-backed mission to address the country’s ongoing security crisis.

The UN Security Council recently approved a Kenyan-led multinational security force for Haiti, with Kenya pledging to provide 1,000 police officers.

However, a Nairobi court issued an interim injunction in response to a case brought by opposition politician Ekuru Aukot, who argued that the deployment was unconstitutional as it lacked legal or treaty backing.

Aukot, a lawyer involved in drafting Kenya’s 2010 constitution, contended that Kenya was sending its police officers abroad while failing to address insecurity within its own borders.

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High Court judge Enock Mwita ruled that the application and petition raised significant national and public interest issues requiring urgent consideration.

The court order temporarily prevents the deployment of police officers to Haiti or any other country until October 24, 2023.

Haiti has experienced ongoing turmoil, with armed gangs controlling parts of the country and the economy and public health system in disarray.

Kenya’s participation in the mission has faced criticism at home, with concerns raised about the potential risks of such a deployment.

The mission’s goal is to support the Haitian National Police in addressing the security situation and creating conditions for holding elections, which have not occurred in Haiti since 2016.