Kenya’s Role in Haiti’s Stability

Kelvin Mandila
Photo CourtesyEWN

On Thursday, President William Ruto engaged in an important phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to deliberate on the future of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, which is spearheaded by Kenyan police officers.

The dialogue focused on the potential shift of the mission into a United Nations Peacekeeping operation, a move aimed at enhancing the mission’s effectiveness and ensuring its completion by October of next year.The MSS mission has historically grappled with significant hurdles, particularly financial and logistical issues that complicate operations in such a challenging environment.

Reports indicate that several foreign nations have committed substantial funds, with the U.S. pledging up to Ksh.38.5 billion in support.However, as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office in January 2025, uncertainty looms over whether the United States will follow through on its financial commitment.

In the context of this mission, the United Nations Security Council, which sanctioned the operation, is actively exploring the most effective avenues to bolster this under-resourced initiative dedicated to restoring peace in Haiti. Currently, the MSS has relied on voluntary contributions, but transitioning to a UN peacekeeping operation would shift the financial responsibility to all 193 UN member states, promoting a more collaborative approach.

I had a productive discussion with U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken regarding the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) in Haiti,We discussed the transition of the mission into a UN peacekeeping operation to bolster its ability to stabilize Haiti.”

In addition to the mission’s operational discussions, Blinken urged Ruto to keep engaging young people in policy discussions, especially in the aftermath of recent protests led by Gen Z, which underscored the significance of accountability among leaders.

“The Secretary reaffirmed the strong and enduring connection between the peoples of our two nations and expressed our commitment to supporting Kenya’s inclusive and democratic future,”

Kenya continues to play a pivotal role in addressing the pressing challenges facing Haiti, this collaboration emphasizes not only the importance of international support but also the need for collective responsibility in achieving sustainable peace and stability.

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