Kenya has dispatched a fourth contingent of National Police Service (NPS) officers to Haiti as part of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM), even as reports emerge that the United States may be pulling funding for the controversial operation.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen led the flag-off ceremony, expressing confidence in the officers’ ability to restore order in the troubled Caribbean nation. “This mission is backed by the United Nations and the international community. Our officers are well-prepared and will deliver on their mandate,” Murkomen stated.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja reaffirmed the commitment of Kenyan officers to working alongside their Haitian counterparts and other MSSM teams from Jamaica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Bahamas, and Belize.
The deployment was attended by top security officials, including PS Internal Security Dr. Raymond Omollo, PS Foreign Affairs Dr. Korir Sing’oei, National Security Advisor Amb. Dr. Monica Juma, and Consul-General to Haiti Mr. Noor Gabow.
Is the Haiti Mission in Jeopardy?
While Kenya’s leadership remains steadfast in its commitment to the mission, a viral story circulating globally suggests that the Trump administration is pulling the plug on US funding for the Haiti deployment. The US was expected to bankroll a significant portion of the operation, with Kenya taking the lead in the UN-backed stabilization effort.
The sudden shift in Washington’s position—if confirmed—raises serious questions about the financial sustainability of Kenya’s continued involvement. Critics argue that Nairobi may now bear a heavier financial burden, at a time when Kenya itself faces economic challenges and a growing public debt crisis.
Mixed Reactions Back Home
The deployment has faced mixed reactions locally, with some Kenyans questioning why resources are being committed to a foreign crisis when domestic security issues—such as banditry in Northern Kenya and rising crime in urban areas—remain unresolved.
“Why are we sending our officers to Haiti when parts of Kenya remain unsafe?” asked opposition leader Opiyo Wandayi. Others, however, have defended the deployment, citing Kenya’s growing role in international peacekeeping and diplomacy.
What Next?
With uncertainty surrounding US funding and Kenya’s commitment to continue deploying officers, all eyes are now on President William Ruto’s administration to clarify how the mission will proceed. If Washington indeed withdraws its support, will Nairobi scale back its commitment, or will Kenyan taxpayers be left footing the bill for a mission thousands of miles away?
As Haiti continues to spiral into crisis, Kenya’s role in the MSSM now faces more scrutiny than ever.
