Nairobi (Le Floridien) – In a reassuring statement, the Kenyan government has confirmed that the U.S. freeze on funding for the Haiti mission will not hinder its progress, ensuring that efforts to combat gang violence in the Caribbean nation remain on track.
Kenyan government spokesman Isaac Mwaura emphasized that the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) in Haiti has sufficient financial resources to continue operations until at least September 2025. While $15 million in U.S. funds has been temporarily withheld, Mwaura pointed out that the mission remains financially stable, backed by the UN Trust Fund for Haiti and contributions from key international partners such as Canada, France, and Spain.
Despite the temporary U.S. aid suspension ordered by the Trump administration—part of a broader 90-day pause on humanitarian assistance—Kenya reaffirmed that the mission’s objectives remain unchanged. The MSS, authorized by the UN Security Council in October 2023, was deployed to support Haiti’s police forces in their fight against criminal groups responsible for over 5,600 deaths in 2024 alone.
Kenyan officials also addressed concerns regarding the contrast between previous U.S. support and the recent funding freeze. President William Ruto had previously stated that the new U.S. administration was fully backing Kenya’s intervention in Haiti, making the sudden financial suspension a surprising shift in stance. However, Kenya remains committed to transitioning the MSS into a fully UN-led operation, ensuring long-term stability in Haiti.
While the U.S. funding freeze initially raised concerns, Kenya’s assurance that the mission will proceed as planned is a beacon of hope for Haiti’s ongoing struggle against gang violence. With continued multilateral support and strategic resource allocation, the MSS remains on course to fulfill its mission—a crucial step toward restoring order and stability in Haiti.
