PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – The United States has delivered a new fleet of 20 armoured vehicles to Haiti, weeks after President William Ruto criticised Washington for previously sending second-hand equipment to the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission.
The vehicles, supplied through the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, are part of renewed efforts to bolster Haiti’s security forces as the country struggles with runaway gang violence.
According to a statement from the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, the delivery “reaffirms America’s commitment to Haiti’s security and to the international coalition supporting the restoration of law and order.”
The shipment comes amid the transition from the MSS to the newly authorised Gang Suppression Force (GSF), following the end of the MSS’s one-year mandate in September.
The new GSF will comprise 5,500 police and military personnel and will operate under a restructured command, supported by a United Nations Technical Office and a new UN Support Office working in collaboration with the Organisation of American States (OAS).
The UN Security Council approved the new mission with 12 votes in favour and three abstentions, including Russia and China.
A civilian special representative will oversee the force, coordinate logistics, and strengthen ties with Haitian authorities.
President Ruto had in September publicly criticised the U.S. for providing Kenya’s contingent with “second-hand” armoured vehicles that frequently broke down, exposing officers to danger.
“I must commend the United States; they did make available logistics and vehicles. But unfortunately, most of the vehicles were second-hand, and therefore, they broke down many times — in very dangerous places,” Ruto said during his address to the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
His remarks followed a fatal incident on August 31, when a Kenyan police officer was killed and eight others injured after their vehicle crashed while towing a faulty MaxxPro armoured truck along the Kenscoff–Pétion-Ville road near Perlerin 9.
Kenyan police first deployed to Haiti in June 2024 under the UN-backed MSS mission aimed at restoring order amid political turmoil and gang violence that has paralysed much of the Caribbean nation.
The latest delivery by Washington is being interpreted as a direct response to Nairobi’s concerns and as an effort to restore confidence among troop-contributing countries amid growing scrutiny over the mission’s safety standards and operational capacity.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said Kenya is awaiting official communication on the fate of its more than 800 officers stationed in Haiti following the establishment of the GSF.
“We are waiting for directions from the relevant agencies. Then we will know what will happen. Remember such directions are issued by the UN Security Council,” Kanja told reporters.
