Kenya has deployed an additional 144 police officers to Haiti as part of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission aimed at restoring stability in the Caribbean nation.
In a statement posted on his X account on February 6, 2025, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed the deployment, highlighting Kenya’s continued commitment to the mission.
“The Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti continues to grow in troop numbers amid assurance of ironclad support from the international community,” he wrote.
The latest contingent consists of 120 men and 24 women, bringing the total Kenyan deployment to 744 officers, following an initial deployment of 600 personnel.
“This morning, I saw off an additional 144 police officers comprising 120 men and 24 women to bolster the 600 officers deployed earlier who have already made commendable progress in reducing gang violence in the Caribbean nation,” he added.
US backing
This reinforcement comes amid concerns over a potential funding freeze that had raised uncertainty about the future of the peacekeeping effort.
However, on February 6, 2025, the US Embassy in Nairobi dispelled these claims, reaffirming the Trump administration’s steadfast support for the mission.
The embassy highlighted that the new Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, reaffirmed America’s commitment to the Haiti mission during a phone call with President William Ruto on January 27, 2025.
“The United States continues to support the Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti. As Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in his call with President Ruto on January 27, 2025. We are grateful for Kenya’s leadership of this mission,” the US Embassy in Nairobi stated.
The US Embassy in Haiti had earlier confirmed that America’s support for the MSS mission remained firm and would not be impacted by the funding freeze being implemented by Washington.
“The United States has not paused all assistance for the Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti. On the contrary, Secretary Rubio approved waivers to allow for millions of dollars in mission-critical assistance to the MSS mission and Haitian National Police (HNP),” US Embassy Haiti stated.
According to the embassy, the US Department of State authorized waivers for $40.7 million in foreign assistance, ensuring continued logistical and operational support for the MSS mission.
“The Department of State approved waivers for $40.7 million in foreign assistance to benefit the HNP and MSS mission. This includes logistical contracts to support forward operating bases, a vehicle maintenance contract to support the MSS mission fleet, a medical services contract for the HNP, transportation services for Department of State-provided equipment deliveries, and contracts that support subject matter experts with the HNP,” the embassy explained.
Additional troops
Guatemala and El Salvador have also added additional troops to join forces from Jamaica and Belize in supporting Haitian police operations.
In a statement posted on their X account on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, the National Police Service announced that Godfrey Otunge, the head of the MSS mission, received the troops from the four countries.
“On February 4, 2025, MSS Force Commander Mr Godfrey Otunge 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.
