President William Ruto chatting with Kenyan police deployed in Haiti. Photo | Kenya Foreign Policy.
The United States has halted Sh1.6 billion ($13 million) in funding for a Kenya-led Haiti mission, putting the operation in jeopardy. The mission, designed to help restore order in Haiti’s gang-controlled capital, Port-au-Prince, now faces even greater financial uncertainty.
The funding freeze follows a broader U.S. review of foreign aid programs. The decision comes despite earlier U.S. support for the UN-backed initiative, which was approved in October 2023. The Kenyan government has deployed at least 600 police officers to lead the multinational force, but delays and financial constraints have strained the mission with claims that the officer in Haiti has in some cases gone for months without pay.
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Government Dismisses Claims of Potential Mission Failure
The government of Kenya has however refuted the claims of the mission arguing that it’s the UN which is funding the mission. The government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura trashed the claims saying it lacks “factual basis.”
“The claims that the US funding freeze for the Kenya-led Haiti Multi-national Security Support mission (MSS) will jeopardize the operations are false and lack any factual basis. The MSS mission is supported by the UN Trust Fund for Haiti, established under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2699 in October 2023,” Mwaura stated in a press statement seen by JEDCA MEDIA.
Mwaura further said that despite the US halting its contribution to the Haiti mission, the UN Trust Fund remains well resourced to support the mission.
“While a portion of the undisbursed U.S. contribution amounting to Sh1.9 billion ($15 million) has been temporarily held due to the US presidential directive, the Fund remains well resourced to support the mission until the end of September 2025. Kenya and its partners remain fully committed to ensuring the mission transitions to a full UN-led operation to guarantee its long-term financial sustainability and security mandate,” Mwaura said.
Other nations, including El Salvador, Jamaica, Guatemala, and Belize, have pledged support. However, the combined force is still far from the 2,500 personnel initially planned. Canada has stepped in with approximately Sh8 billion ($63 million) contribution, but experts say the mission still needs more financial and logistical backing to be effective.
With the U.S. halting funds, concerns are growing over Kenya’s ability to sustain the mission without additional support. Some Kenyan leaders are now questioning whether their country should proceed without solid international backing.
Haiti has been grappling with escalating gang violence, political instability, and economic hardship. The intervention aims to help the Haitian police regain control of affected areas and stabilize the nation. However, without sufficient funding and personnel, its success remains uncertain.
The U.S. decision has sparked debate over whether Kenya should bear the financial and operational burden of leading the mission. Critics argue that a clearer plan and stronger global commitment are needed before moving forward.
