Additional troops from four other countries have joined the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti amid a US funding freeze.
The National Police Service (NPS) has announced the deployment of additional troops from the Bahamas, Belize, Jamaica, and Guatemala.
In an update on X on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, NPS said the head of the MSS mission Godfrey Otunge received the troops from the four countries on Tuesday.
“MORE TROOPS JOIN THE KENYAN-LED MULTINATIONAL SECURITY SUPPORT (MSS) MISSION IN HAITI
“On February 4, 2025, MSS Force Commander Mr. Godfrey Otunge SAIG joined Haitian Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) President H.E. Leslie Voltaire in welcoming troops from El Salvador.
“The troops arrived at Haiti’s Toussaint Louverture International Airport and will now be part of the MSS Mission, which includes troops from the Bahamas, Belize, Jamaica, and Guatemala,” NPS said.
According to NPS, Otunge emphasized the vital role the officers would play in restoring stability and order in Haiti as he formally received the troops.
He also expressed gratitude to the Haitian TPC President and MSS partners for their unwavering support, highlighting the strong collaboration between the MSS and the Haitian National Police in ensuring security and order.
“Whilst receiving the troops, Mr. Otunge reminded the officers of the crucial role that they would play in the restoration of stability and order in Haiti.
“He further appreciated the Haitian TPC President and MSS partners for the support accorded to MSS, and in particular the continued cooperation between MSS and the Haitian National Police,” NPS stated.
NPS said Otunge, joined by members of the Diplomatic Corps, Haiti National Police Director General Normil Rameau, and MSS Deputy Force Commander Col. Kevron Henry, led a high-level delegation alongside other key leaders.
According to Kenyan authorities, the arrival of Salvadoran troops is expected to strengthen MSS emergency response capabilities, particularly in casualty and medical evacuations (CASEVAC and MEDEVAC), ensuring more efficient and effective rescue operations.
“The Force Commander was accompanied by members of the Diplomatic Corps, Haiti National Police Director General Normil Rameau, and MSS Deputy Force Commander Col. Kevron Henry, among other leaders.
“The Salvadoran troops bring in their prowess in casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), thus enhancing the efficiency of MSS emergency response and evacuation,” NPS noted.
US funding freeze
The Kenyan government was swift to allay fears that the Haiti mission would come to an abrupt end following a decision by the US to freeze funding.
The MSS mission in Haiti will continue until at least September 2025, despite a recent funding freeze by the United States, Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’Oei confirmed.
In a statement posted on X on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, Sing’Oei addressed concerns over the fate of Kenya’s deployment, emphasizing that the mission has sufficient funding for the foreseeable future.
“The UN Trust Fund for Haiti is the fund that supports the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti as established in October 2023 by UNSCR 2699.
“The Kenyan-led MSS has police deployments from not just Kenya but also Guatemala, Jamaica, El Salvador, Bahamas, and Belize, among others.
“As of the end of 2024, US$110.3 million had been pledged by several countries, including the USA, Canada, France, Turkey, Spain, Italy, and Algeria. $85 million had been received by the Trust Fund, including substantial amounts from the United States,” Sing’Oei wrote.
He acknowledged that while the undisbursed US contribution to the Trust Fund of $15 million has been paused as per President Donald Trump’s directive, the fund has sufficient resources to continue underwriting the mission until the end of September 2025.
Sing’Oei also reiterated that transitioning the mission into a fully-fledged UN peacekeeping operation to ensure its long-term financial sustainability remains a key priority for Kenya and its international partners.
“While undisbursed US contribution to the Trust Fund of $15 million has been paused as per presidential directive, the Fund has sufficient resources to continue underwriting the Mission until end of September 2025.
“The transition of the Mission to a full UN Mission to ensure financial sustainability is a key priority to which Kenya and all partners are committed,” Sing’Oei clarified.
The US notified the United Nations on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, that it is freezing some funding to the UN-backed mission in Haiti, which was launched to combat gangs attempting to seize control of the country’s capital.
The UN acknowledged the US’s decision, stating that the funding freeze would have an immediate impact.
The United States has been the largest contributor to the mission led by Kenyan police, which has faced challenges, including funding shortfalls and limited personnel.
