NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya has sent an additional 144 police officers to Haiti as part of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, bolstering efforts to restore stability in the gang-ravaged Caribbean nation.
Among the latest deployments is the elite all-female Lioness Commandos unit from the Administration Police Service (APS) Rapid Deployment Unit, a highly trained SWAT team.
The officers, who departed on Wednesday night, were flagged off by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, alongside other top government and security officials, including Interior PS Dr Raymond omollo, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Dr. Korir Sing’Oei and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja.
CS Murkomen noted that the United Nations is in full support of the MSS mission.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi speaks after US froze aid for the Haiti Mission.
He expressed confidence in the officers’ capability to deliver on their mandate of securing the Haitian state.
The latest deployment brings Kenya’s total police presence in Haiti to 800, with plans to reach 1,000 as part of the UN-backed mission.
“The MSS remains fully committed to restoring peace in Haiti,” said Geoffrey Otunge, the force commander leading the deployment.
Kenya’s reinforcement comes amid uncertainty following the United States’ recent decision to halt part of its financial support for the mission.
The move, part of a broader review of US foreign aid by the Trump administration, has raised concerns about the future of the multinational effort.
The UN confirmed receiving an official notification that $13.3 million of the US’s pledged $15 million contribution to the mission’s trust fund had been frozen.
Despite this setback, Sing’Oei clarified that the US has already committed approximately $600 million to the MSS mission, with $110 million still available for operations.
Kenya, which leads the mission, has reaffirmed its commitment, stating that its security operation remains on track and could transition into a full UN peacekeeping effort.
“The alleged funding freeze is a false alarm. The mission remains on course,” Otunge reassured, citing the recent arrival of a contingent from El Salvador and the expected deployment of CASEVAC and MEDEVAC helicopters for emergency medical evacuations.
A police officer sends a message to Kenyans and family all the way from Haiti.
Kenya’s leadership in the MSS follows the UN Security Council’s authorization in October 2023, aimed at assisting Haitian authorities in countering escalating gang violence.
With security conditions in Haiti deteriorating, Kenya’s role in the mission has drawn both praise and scrutiny, particularly given the challenges of sustained funding and operational logistics.
The mission currently includes officers from Jamaica, Guatemala, El Salvador, the Bahamas and Belize.
Kenya says Haiti Mission not affected after US froze its funding.
