NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya and the United States have reaffirmed their security partnership as the two countries jointly honoured Kenyan police officers who served in the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the ceremony, held on Thursday at the National Police College, Embakasi ‘A’ Campus in Nairobi, reflected deep diplomatic and economic ties between Nairobi and Washington, anchored on shared democratic values and security cooperation.
Murkomen joined United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau at the event organised by the US government to recognise officers who participated in the Kenya-led mission.
“We celebrate these valiant patriotic Kenyans who put their lives on the line to restore humanity, peace, and stability in Haiti,” Murkomen said.
“Their heroic service exemplifies the professionalism of our Police Service and Kenya’s unwavering commitment to regional and global peace.”
Kenya has led the multinational mission aimed at supporting Haiti’s overstretched security institutions amid escalating gang violence and a prolonged governance crisis. Murkomen said the mission recorded notable gains, including restoring order in key areas, securing critical infrastructure, reopening major roads, and enabling humanitarian access in parts of Port-au-Prince.
The Cabinet Secretary thanked the US government for its logistical, financial, and diplomatic support, saying it had been critical to the mission’s progress and sustainability.
“We are grateful for the immense support of the United States government towards the success of the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti,” he said.
Murkomen noted that Kenya continues to play a central role in the newly established Gang Suppression Force, an expanded security effort intended to consolidate gains made under the MSS framework.
He said collaboration with the United States has extended beyond the Haiti mission to include training, equipping, and capacity-building for the National Police Service.
The ceremony was attended by senior Kenyan and US officials, including US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Susan M. Burns, National Security Advisor Monica Juma, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service Gilbert Masengeli, Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service Eliud Lagat, and other security officials.
Kenya’s leadership of the Haiti mission has drawn both domestic and international attention, including legal scrutiny and parliamentary debate, as the country deepens its role in global peace and security operations under international frameworks.
