The Kenyan government has refuted claims that a freeze in US funding for the Kenya-led Haiti Multi-National Security Support Mission (MSS) would jeopardise its operations, asserting that these allegations are false and unfounded.
In light of the ongoing situation, Government Spokesperson Dr Isaac Mwaura clarified that the MSS mission is supported by the UN Trust Fund for Haiti, which was established under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2699 in October 2023.
The mission was designed to assist Haiti’s authorities in combating criminal gangs that control large areas of the country.
Dr Mwaura further explained that the Kenya-led mission also involves police deployments from countries such as Guatemala, Jamaica, El Salvador, the Bahamas, Belize, and 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,” Dr Mwaura disclosed in a press statement.
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He added that $85 million had been received by the Trust Fund, including significant contributions from the United States.
Despite a portion of the US contribution, amounting to $15 million, being temporarily held due to a US presidential directive, Dr Mwaura maintained that the Fund remains well-resourced to support the mission through to the end of September 2025.
This follows a recent freeze in US contributions to the UN-hosted fund for the MSS mission, which was meant to support efforts in Haiti, including $13.3 million in pending aid.
The funding freeze is part of President Donald Trump’s broader push to cut overseas aid, raising concerns that the mission will not be able to continue operations, particularly in light of the severe security challenges in Haiti.
Delays in support could lead to the catastrophic collapse of security institutions and allow the gangs to completely overrun Port-au-Prince.
Dr Mwaura reassured that Kenya, together with the other partners of the UN Security Council, would ensure the mission transitions as agreed into a fully UN-led operation to provide the necessary long-term financial certainty for its existence, alongside its security mandate.
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