Kenyan police officers sent to Haiti for a peacekeeping mission will receive an extra Ksh 295,000 on top of their standard monthly salary.
According to the United Nations reimbursement framework, Kenyan police officers stationed in Haiti will earn a monthly salary of Ksh 279,955. Sources privy to their remuneration have confirmed that they will receive an additional Ksh 295,000 in allowances to cover housing, meals, and other expenses.
Since the mission began two months ago, the officers have received their July allowance. Their August payment is still pending, but they have been assured it will be processed soon.
“We have received the one-month allowance and we have been informed that they will pay the other soon,” a source who sought anonymity told the Nation.
Each member of the first contingent, who deployed on June 25, has received Ksh 295,000, while each officer in the second batch, who arrived on July 17, has been paid Ksh 94,000. According to the agreement with the Kenyan government, each officer is to be paid $70 per day, which amounts to $2,100 per month (Ksh 273,000).
The officers, deployed to Haiti for peacekeeping under the United Nations-led Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS), have also been equipped with additional military hardware to enhance their efforts against the armed gangs causing widespread chaos in the country.
In July, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken authorized the release of $109 million (Ksh 14.1 billion) to support the mission.
This update comes amid reports of growing dissatisfaction due to pay delays and equipment shortages, which have affected the morale of the police officers deployed in the Caribbean country.
Last week, reports emerged that the families of Kenyan officers in Haiti were experiencing financial difficulties because the officers had not yet been paid their mission allowances.
Acting Inspector-General of Police Gilbert Masengeli dismissed the claims, assuring the officers that their pay would be delivered on time.
Mission commander Godfrey Otunge also verified that the police officers have been supplied with extra military equipment to strengthen their operations.
“We thank the US government for its continued support by heeding our call for additional equipment. MSS has received additional vehicles and equipment over the last one week, leading to more sustained joint operations between HNP( Haiti National Police) and MSS personnel,” he said.
The Kenyan police officers now have 34 Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs). Initially, the U.S. donated eight APCs to assist with patrols in violence-stricken areas. After one APC developed mechanical issues following an attack by gangs in Gauthier town, France supplied an additional 24, and the U.S. added two more.
Kenya has been leading the mission with a contingent of 1,000 police officers. Other countries expected to contribute troops include Jamaica, the Bahamas, Benin, Belize, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda.
Others are Bangladesh, Algeria, France, Germany, Trinidad, Tobago, Turkey, the United Kingdom (UK) and Spain.
Masengeli added that the Kenyan officers “are fully dedicated to their mission and are consistently following the International Human Rights Law, in line with the Human Rights Due Diligence Policy.”
His statement reflects the contract signed in Washington, D.C. on June 21, which outlines the rights and immunities granted to the forces deployed for the mission.
The agreement specified that the officers are not subject to inspection upon arrival and are exempt from taxes on their incomes and emoluments. Additionally, the equipment used by the troops is exempt from taxes in Haiti, provided it is for official use.
If an officer commits a crime in Haiti, they cannot be prosecuted within the Caribbean nation but will be referred to the Mission for prompt action.
Additionally, an officer serving as the MSS mission commander has the authority to arrest team members for violations of conduct and discipline as outlined in policies and directives.
