Kenya has responded following the United States’ decision to cut its funding for the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti amounting to more than $13 million (Ksh1.7 billion),
President William Ruto‘s National Security Advisor Monica Juma responded after the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General’s spokesperson Stephane Dujarric announced the decision by the US on Tuesday, February 5, 2025.
With $1.7 million (Ksh220 million) already disbursed, the US had committed $15 million to the fund, the second-largest contribution after Canada’s $63 million.
“The US had committed $15 million to the trust fund; $1.7 million of that had already been spent, so $13.3 million is now frozen,” said Dujarric.
“We received an official notification from the US asking for an immediate stop work order on their contribution” to the trust fund for the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission.”
The announcement came days after an additional contingent of Kenyan Police officers landed in the troubled Caribbean nation.
Juma in a statement on Wednesday confirmed that the US contribution to the UN Trust Fund for the MSS mission is on pause, affecting about $15M in support.
Kenya responds after US freezes funding for Kenyan-led Haiti mission
However, the National Security Advisor said that there are sufficient funds in the Fund from other countries.
“It is also true that the MSS mission is a priority and a beneficiary of the waiver. Meanwhile, there are sufficient funds in the UN Trust Fund for Haiti from other countries (approximately $110M) to continue operations,” said Juma.
The deployment of Kenyan officers is part of the MSS, authorized by the UN Security Council (UNSC) under Resolution 2699 of 2023, with Kenya taking a lead role.
UNSC gave the green light in October 2023 to the MSS mission designed to support Haiti’s authorities in their fight against criminal gangs, which control swaths of the country.
Last month, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince could become overrun by gangs if the international community does not step up aid to the security mission.
Guterres said that more money, equipment and personnel are needed for the international force, adding that any further delays could allow gangs to overrun the entire Port-au-Prince metropolitan area and risk the catastrophic collapse of Haiti’s security institutions.
The MSS mission funding freeze is part of President Donald Trump’s push to slash US overseas aid, which has included a driving an effort to shutter the operations of the government’s main aid agency, the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
The US had also contributed over $300 million in funds and equipment directly to the MSS, including dozens of armored vehicles, in parallel with the UN-hosted fund.
Also Read: 739 Police Officers in Haiti Graduate After Intervention of Kenyan Commander
Ruto and Rubio discuss about MSS mission
Washington’s freeze acomes days after President William Ruto on Monday, January 27, 2025, held a phone conversation with the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss various issues affecting Kenya and other regions.
State House in a statement said that the two discussed the United Nations-led MSS mission and agreed on a joint strategy to ensure the mission serves its purpose.
Spokesperson for the State Department Tammy Bruce added that Secretary Rubio praised Kenya’s efforts to promote regional stability.
“Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Kenyan President William Ruto to underscore the value of the U.S.-Kenya bilateral relationship and thank him for Kenya’s leadership of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to Haiti.” read part of the statement.
Also Read: Ruto Announces Trump’s Stance on Haiti Mission
President Ruto at the same time updated Secretary Rubio on the security situation in Sudan, South Sudan, and Somalia, adding that the US has committed to continue to deploy its capabilities to support Kenya’s peace mission in the region.
Secretary Rubio reiterated the importance of Kenya’s role in promoting regional peace and security in these regions.
The call came after Ruto revealed that President Trump had also pledged his allegiance to the mission.
According to the Head of State, the support came from an already special bond formed between the two countries.
“And I am very proud that even President Trump, with this new administration, supports Kenya’s mission in Haiti to support the women and children of that nation to experience peace and stability,” stated Ruto while speaking on Sunday, January 26, at the Global Cathedral church in Nairobi.
Kenyan officers land in Haiti
The MSS funding freeze by the US comes weeks after an additional 217 officers from the Rapid Deployment Unit, along with specialized teams including medical personnel, mechanics, and communications experts, joined the first contingent of 400 officers sent to Haiti in June 2024.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen made the announcement while issuing six key updates on the progress of police officers deployed to Haiti on January 18, 2025.
CS Murkomen noted that the officers were well underway in restoring security and stability in the Caribbean nation.
At the same time, he noted that significant progress had been made in improving Haiti’s security.
Among the key milestones was the reopening of schools and colleges on October 2, 2024, followed by the resumption of court operations on October 7.
The joint forces had further intensified operations targeting the financial networks of criminal organizations, seizing illegal arms, ammunition, and narcotics to cut off the major funding sources for gangs.
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