A Kenyan high court has blocked the government from deploying police officers to Haiti or any other country pending a hearing. As a matter of national importance and public interest, the judge cited the issues raised in the application.

Former presidential candidate Ekuru Aukot said the proposed deployment was unconstitutional.

The question of whether regular police can be deployed abroad is disputed.

Before addressing domestic security, the country could not afford to spare 1,000 officers.

Seven people were killed in ethnic clashes in western Kenya last week.

Al-Shabab militants have recently attacked the coastal region of Lamu in Somalia. Curfews have been imposed in the area.

According to the interior minister, the deployment would not compromise the country’s safety and security.

At the end of October, the court will issue further directions.