The Kenyan officers serving in Haiti as part of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission have received their salaries up to the end of October, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja confirmed in a press briefing on Thursday. This comes amidst reports that the mission has been facing significant financial constraints due to delays in the fulfillment of pledges by donor countries.
Since June 25, 2024, Kenyan police officers have played a crucial role in the UN-backed MSS mission, tasked with restoring peace and stability in Haiti, a country plagued by political instability and gang violence. Despite the importance of their mission, reports surfaced indicating that the officers had not been paid for their services, raising concerns about the mission’s financial sustainability and its broader implications for the country’s involvement in international peacekeeping efforts.
In his statement, IG Kanja acknowledged the tireless efforts of the Kenyan officers, praising their leadership in the mission. “Our officers in Haiti have received their payment up to the end of October,” he said, providing some relief to the officers who had expressed frustration over the delayed compensation. However, the financial struggles of the mission are far from over, as it continues to face a series of logistical challenges.
The MSS mission is primarily funded through voluntary contributions from donor nations, managed via a trust fund. However, several countries have yet to honor their financial commitments, leading to a significant shortfall in the mission’s operational budget. This has placed an additional strain on the Kenyan government, which has had to bear the cost of the mission in the interim.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi revealed that the Kenyan government had spent over Ksh.2 billion on the mission while awaiting reimbursement from the UN. “This money we are spending on behalf of the UN, we are the ones making the payment so the money comes from our exchequer because these are our officers,” Mbadi stated, highlighting the financial burden Kenya has undertaken to ensure the mission’s continued success.
The Kenyan government has been vocal in calling for the fulfillment of the pledges made by donor countries, with President William Ruto raising the issue with US President-elect Donald Trump. Following Trump’s victory, President Ruto took the opportunity to discuss the Haiti mission and the potential for greater cooperation between Kenya and the United States, particularly in areas of conflict resolution and peacekeeping.
“I briefed President Trump on the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti and possible areas of cooperation with the US government on this important conflict resolution initiative,” President Ruto said during a call with Trump on November 9, 2024. The conversation also touched on broader topics of mutual interest, including trade, investment, security, and governance, all of which are critical to both nations.
The future of the mission remains uncertain, with critics questioning whether the new US administration under Trump will honor its financial commitments to the mission. The outcome of these discussions will likely determine the continued success of the MSS mission and the fate of the Kenyan officers stationed in Haiti.
As the Kenyan government navigates these challenges, the commitment and resilience of the officers on the ground in Haiti stand as a testament to their professionalism and dedication to peacekeeping. However, unless the financial issues are addressed, the sustainability of the mission could be at risk, with far-reaching implications not only for the officers but for the broader goals of international peace and security.
The Kenyan government’s proactive stance in securing the mission’s funding and its leadership in this crucial peacekeeping initiative will be crucial in ensuring that the mission achieves its objectives and that the officers serving in Haiti receive the support and compensation they deserve.
