The Kenya-led Muti-National Security Support Mission in Haiti has suffered a significant blow after the President Donald Trump-led administration suspended its funding for the international mission.
The move is part of a broader 90-day freeze on foreign aid ordered by President Trump.
Y News understands that this suspension affects more than $13 million in U.S. contributions to the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, which was aimed at combating armed gangs in Haiti.
While reacting to the decision confirmed by the United Nations on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, security expert George Musamali told Y News that the buck now falls on Kenya to fund the mission.
“Nairobi can say anything. The UN has confirmed the suspension of funding for 90 days. Kenya will have to maintain, equip, and pay her troops until further notice,” said Musamali.
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Already, National Security Advisor to the President Monica Juma has confirmed the freezing of funds aimed at maintaining the mission.
“It is true the U.S. contribution to the UN Trust Fund for MSS Haiti is on pause, affecting about $15M in support. It is also true that the MSS mission is a priority and a beneficiary of the waiver,” Juma posted on her official X account.
Meanwhile, Juma said there are sufficient funds in the UN Trust Fund for Haiti from other countries (approximately $110 million) to continue operations.
Juma’s statement contradicts that of Government Spokesperson Dr. Isaac Mwaura, who earlier dismissed concerns that the U.S. funding freeze would derail the mission in Haiti, calling such claims “false and lacking any factual basis.”
In a statement, Mwaura emphasised that the MSS mission is backed by the UN Trust Fund for Haiti, established under UN Security Council Resolution 2699 in October 2023.
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The mission, spearheaded by Kenya, also includes police contingents from Guatemala, Jamaica, El Salvador, the Bahamas, and Belize.
“As of the end of 2024, US$110.3 million had been pledged by multiple nations, including the USA, Canada, France, Turkey, Spain, Italy, and Algeria. Of this, $85 million has already been received by the Trust Fund, with significant contributions from the United States,” the statement read.
President Ruto recently said that he was requested by former US president Joe Biden last year to provide Kenya’s security diplomacy to support the Haiti security mission.
“I am very proud that even President Trump with the new administration supports Kenya’s mission in Haiti to help men, women, and children in that nation experience peace and stability so that they too can do what other nations are doing,” said President Ruto.
President Ruto reiterated that there is a special relationship between the US and Kenya “because we have a strong bond of relationship.”
