An advance team of Kenyan police officials, who were assessing preparedness in Haiti, is now heading back home after recommending the delay, which was later announced by President William Ruto.

According to a senior Kenyan official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, construction of the bases is still underway, and essential resources including vehicles are needed before the deployment can take place. The first batch of 200 Kenyan police officers was scheduled to begin their mission this week. However, President Ruto declared a three-week delay to ensure that the necessary infrastructure and equipment are in place.

The senior official, who was part of the advance team, highlighted that the base where the police officers will operate from is approximately 70% complete. Additionally, there is an urgent need for secure storage facilities for the armory.

The Kenyan officials arrived in Haiti earlier this week and held meetings with the Haitian police on Thursday and the transitional presidential council on Friday. During this time, President Joe Biden expressed his deep appreciation to President Ruto, who was on a state visit, for Kenya's contribution in helping to tackle gang violence in Haiti.

The multinational force, supported by a $300 million contribution from the United States, will consist of 1,000 Kenyan police officers, as well as personnel from Jamaica, the Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, and other nations. The force aims to address the long-standing issues of poverty, political instability, and natural disasters that have plagued Haiti for decades.

International intervention in Haiti has faced challenges in the past. A U.N.-approved stabilization mission, initiated in June 2004, was marred by a sexual abuse scandal and the outbreak of cholera, which resulted in the loss of nearly 10,000 lives. The mission concluded in October 2017.

With the deployment now postponed for three weeks, efforts will be intensified to ensure the completion of the necessary infrastructure and resources required for the Kenyan police officers to effectively carry out their mission in Haiti.