Kenya’s President William Ruto has confirmed that the United States will continue funding the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, despite a broader freeze on US foreign aid. The revelation follows a phone conversation between President Ruto and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The announcement comes amid uncertainty after the Trump administration decided to halt financial support for various international programs. However, Ruto assured that the Haiti security mission remains unaffected, highlighting Washington’s recognition of its critical role in stabilizing the Caribbean nation.
“Our discussion confirmed that the United States has specifically exempted its support for the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti from the broader pause on federal assistance, recognising the critical need to sustain momentum for the mission and its role in stabilising Haiti and restoring order,” Ruto stated.
The Kenya-led mission aims to restore law and order in Haiti, which has been plagued by political instability, gang violence, and economic turmoil. Kenya has played a leading role in coordinating international efforts to bring peace to the country, with backing from the United Nations and key global partners.
Ruto emphasized that his conversation with Secretary Rubio also touched on broader bilateral relations between Kenya and the US. “We reviewed bilateral relations between Kenya and the US and reaffirmed our mutual commitment to strengthening our existing cooperation,” he added.
Beyond Haiti, the discussion also addressed pressing security concerns in Africa. Ruto noted that the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was a key part of their agenda. Ongoing instability in the DRC has prompted regional leaders to seek concerted action to address the crisis. This includes a joint meeting between the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC), set to take place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Friday and Saturday.
The meeting is expected to bring together regional heads of state and security officials to formulate strategies aimed at stabilizing the region. Kenya, a key player in regional security efforts, has been actively involved in peace negotiations and troop deployments in the DRC.
Ruto’s assurance that the Haiti mission remains funded is likely to ease concerns among stakeholders involved in the multinational effort. The commitment from Washington signals continued international support for Kenya’s leadership in global security matters.
