Kenya resorts to scouting for foreign support to sustain Haiti peace mission bilaterally
Last year, the Treasury disclosed that the Kenyan government had spent Sh2.1billion on the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti and in the latest supplementary budget presented to the National Assembly, Sh2.5billion was set aside for the mission as part of a larger Sh23billion allocation to the security sector despite earlier assurances that taxpayers would not bear the cost
A year after the launch of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, the crisis in the Caribbean nation continues to escalate at a time Kenya has resorted to scouting for international financial support bilaterally to sustain the security operation in the gangs controlled state.
This comes against the backdrop of the revelations that Kenyan taxpayers continue to spend their hard earn money towards the security operation despite earlier assurances that no money from the Kenya’s National Treasury would be channeled towards the peace efforts in Haiti.
Last year, the Treasury disclosed that the Kenyan government had spent Sh2.1billion on the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti and in the latest supplementary budget presented to the National Assembly, Sh2.5billion was set aside for the mission as part of a larger Sh23billion allocation to the security sector despite earlier assurances that taxpayers would not bear the cost.
This came as a contradiction to assertions by Ambassador Monica Juma, the National Security Advisor to President William Ruto, who in February this year said there is enough funding in the United Nations Trust Fund, to cater for the officers who are on a peacekeeping mission in Haiti.
In a statement issued then, Juma said there is approximately $110 million (Sh12.9 billion, which is sufficient to continue operations.
“There are sufficient funds in the UN Trust Fund for Haiti from other countries (approximately $110M) to continue operations,” she said. She noted that despite financial setbacks, the Multinational Security Mission (MSS) remains a priority.
Juma’s assurance comes shortly after the US government froze more than US$13 million (Sh1.7 billion) in funding for the Kenya-led MSS in Haiti.
This followed President Donald Trump’s 90-day foreign aid pause. The UN confirmed the development which caught many off-guard including officials in Kenya.
“The US had committed $15 million to the trust fund; $1.7 million of that had already been spent, so $13.3 million is now frozen,” UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters.
Today, Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has disclosed that Kenya has reached out to Brazil for technical and financial support to bolster efforts in restoring peace and rebuilding livelihoods in Haiti.
This comes days after a similar appeal was put forth to the Dominican Republic at a time the gangs have increased their power and territorial control, and the mission still faces critical challenges in terms of funding, institutional articulation and coordination with local authorities, and a possible resurgence of political opposition in Nairobi.
The mission’s mandate is to support the Haitian National Police (HNP) in combating the violence and restoring security.
The new development also comes just days after Mudavadi, who is currently in Brazil, urged the international community to fulfill and expand its pledged funding for the UN-backed security mission in Haiti.
Kenya has deployed nearly 800 officers to help quell insecurity in the country. So far, two Kenyan officers have died and several others injured.
The mission, which is in its second year now, has received support from the United Nations and the United States of America.
In his recent visit to Washington D.C, PCS Mudavadi held talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio who reaffirmed U.S. support for Kenya’s leadership in the Haiti MSS and other initiatives to support regional stability and democratic governance.
He then proceeded to the Dominican Republic, where he held political consultations with Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez in Santo Domingo on Tuesday, before heading to Brazil.
The two leaders observed that the mission will achieve greater success if the officers are better equipped and provide with adequate logistical support.
Mudavadi, who is also the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, held talks with Amb. Mauro Vieira, Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, at his office in Brasília during the 5th Kenya-Brazil Political Consultations.
“We reaffirmed our commitment to deepening bilateral ties with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on tourism. Our discussions explored opportunities for enhanced cooperation in agriculture, trade, investment, health, climate resilience, and security, alongside shared priorities on the multilateral stage”, he said.
“ I also briefed Minister Vieira on the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti and appealed for Brazil’s technical and financial backing to bolster efforts in restoring peace and rebuilding Haitian livelihoods”. He explained.
He is accompanied by Dr. Andrew Karanja, Kenya’s Ambassador to Brazil, and Amb. Lucy Kiruthu, Acting Director General for Political and Diplomatic Affairs.
