The police command has issued a directive to Officers Commanding Stations, urging them to nominate a minimum of two officers from their stations to compose the team that will be deployed to Haiti in January.
Last week, the United Nations Security Council authorised the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to Haiti, aiming to provide relief to the people of Haiti, who have endured prolonged suffering due to violent criminal activities.
In response to a plea to lead the mission in Haiti, President William Ruto agreed, and Kenya is expected to contribute a contingent of at least 1,000 officers, along with an undisclosed number of officers from Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Antigua and Barbuda.
According to a confidential communication, the OCSs are instructed to select officers with a minimum of five years of active service in the national police service, and these officers must be aged between 20 and 55 years.
"The unit is in the process of conducting a selection exercise of suitable officers for special assignment. In view of this you are urgently required to submit names of officers," read the letter.
The officers, the letter noted, must not have more than two convictions and the last one not less than six months old. They should be mentally, physically and medically fit and demonstrate clear command and control.
Among the cadres the police have recommended for assignment are, drivers.
The OCS will be required to nominate 35 drivers and six mechanics while the Recce company will nominate two mechanics.
On the communication, the OCS are also asked to nominate six signallers from the command centres. Also required will be chaplaincy and counsellors, where the senior officers will be required to pick 12 officers.
The OCs will further nominate qualified drone operators as specialists. Police constables must meet the requirements of having a minimum of two years of active service in the national police service and be aged between 20 and 40 years.
The communication noted that the officers required for the Haiti mission must have the ability to safely handle their firearm and proven shooting skills.
