The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) has asked the government to proceed cautiously as it plans to deploy 1,000 police officers to Haiti on a peacekeeping mission.

COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli emphasized the potential threats to troops in the Caribbean nation, warned by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) in a statement to newsrooms on Friday.

PHOTO | COURTESY Atwoli 

Atwoli pointed out that relatively superior nations have already attempted similar missions without success.

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As a result, he advised the government to be wary of the humanitarian gesture to safeguard the safety of Kenyan troops, adding that they should speak with countries such as Canada and the United States before going on the operation.

PHOTO | COURTESY Atwoli Calls For Caution, Says Kenya Police May Be Walking Into Gang War

"Whereas the Kenyan government has an international obligation, as a key player under the United Nations Security Council mandate, to enhance peace and security globally, we wish to urge the government to take extra caution, including engaging our allies who have already supported the move like the US and Canada to ensure the safety of our police force that will be executing this important task of protecting the lives of our brothers and sisters in Haiti." 

The COTU chief also urged the US to guarantee that the Kenyan officers deployed to Haiti had adequate resources to ensure their success.

Since the government announced the deployment of 1,000 police officers to Haiti, lobbying groups have dismissed the proposal, claiming that Kenyan police are unprepared to deal with Haitian gangs.