WASHINGTON, United States — The United States has announced a major boost to the multinational security effort in Haiti, revealing that countries have pledged up to 7,500 personnel to support the Haiti Gang Suppression Force, surpassing earlier projections and reinforcing Kenya’s leading role in the mission.
Speaking during a press briefing on December 19, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the level of international commitment had exceeded expectations, both in personnel and funding, as global concern grows over Haiti’s worsening security crisis.
“We were looking for 5,500 forces. We already have pledges of up to 7,500 forces from a variety of countries,” Rubio said, adding that donor support had also increased significantly.
“We’ve seen donors step up to fund that effort. That’s a very important effort. It all ties together cohesively,” he noted.
The expanded force comes weeks after Kenya deployed an additional 230 specialised police officers to Haiti on December 8, reinforcing its contingent under the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission.
Kenya remains the largest and most visible contributor to the security operation, which is now transitioning into a broader, UN-backed gang suppression framework.
In September, the United Nations Security Council approved a resolution to double the size of the 15-month-old MSS mission and rebrand it as the Haiti Gang Suppression Force, acknowledging that the original deployment was underfunded and understaffed.
The move followed sustained appeals from Haitian authorities and contributing countries, including Kenya, over the deteriorating security situation.
Previously, the MSS relied entirely on voluntary contributions rather than fixed United Nations funding. By late 2025, available resources had fallen well short of the estimated $600 billion required annually to sustain operations, severely constraining the mission’s effectiveness.
Despite these challenges, Kenyan officers working alongside the Haitian National Police and the country’s military have recorded notable operational gains. According to mission briefings, joint forces have successfully recaptured critical infrastructure from gang control, including Toussaint Louverture International Airport, the National Hospital, and the main National Police Station.
Security teams have also restored key transport corridors, clearing gangs from major roadways and reopening the vital route linking Port-au-Prince to the Dominican Republic, which had been blocked for months. The reopening of these routes has eased the flow of humanitarian aid and commercial supplies into affected areas.
Kenya’s contribution has drawn international and domestic recognition. During the Jamhuri Day celebrations earlier this month, President William Ruto publicly honoured Kenyan police officers who had returned from Haiti, describing them as national heroes and praising their role in stabilising the Caribbean nation.
The expanded troop pledges and increased donor funding signal renewed international resolve to confront armed gangs that control large parts of Haiti’s capital and surrounding regions. Analysts say the strengthened mission could mark a turning point if sustained political backing, financing, and coordination are maintained.
However, security experts caution that long-term stability will depend not only on military pressure but also on political reforms, economic recovery, and institutional rebuilding within Haiti. As the mission scales up, Kenya and its partners are expected to play a central role in shaping the next phase of international engagement in the troubled nation.
