The Embassy revealed that the Department of State approved waivers for $40.7 million (Ksh5.3 billion in current exchange rates) in foreign assistance to benefit the HNP and MSS mission.
The United States (US) government has revealed that it has not frozen all support for the Multinational Security Mission (MSS) in Haiti spearheaded by the Kenyan police.
In a statement issued on Thursday, February 6, the US Embassy in Haiti instead revealed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had approved waivers to allow for millions of dollars in mission-critical assistance to the MSS mission and Haitian National Police (HNP).
The Embassy revealed that the Department of State approved waivers for $40.7 million (Ksh5.3 billion in current exchange rates) in foreign assistance to benefit the HNP and MSS mission.
Kenyan police patrol Haiti streets to ensure familiarity and calm on June 28, 2024. /NATIONAL POLICE SERVICE
“This includes logistical contracts to support forward operating bases, a vehicle maintenance contract to support the MSS mission fleet, a medical services contract for the HNP, and transportation services for Department of State provided equipment deliveries and contracts that support subject matter experts with the HNP,” stated the embassy in part.
“As recently as yesterday, the United States delivered much-needed heavy armoured equipment to the MSS mission and HNP in Port-au-Prince.”
The embassy clarified that the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, announced that implementation of the remaining $13.3 million (Ksh1.7 billion) funds provided by the United States to the UN Trust Fund had been paused.
However, “The $15 million (Ksh1.9 billion) provided in total to the Trust Fund represents less than 3% of the total funds that the United States is providing directly to support the MSS mission,” the embassy added.
The statement was shared by the US Embassy in Nairobi which affirmed that the US government would continue to support the Haiti mission, referencing Rubio’s call with President William Ruto on the matter a few weeks ago.
“The United States continues to support the Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti. As Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in his call with President Ruto on January 27, we are grateful for Kenya’s leadership of this mission,” read the statement in part.
On Wednesday, February 5, Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs reaffirmed that the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti will continue to receive funding and operational backing, despite the suspension of U.S. contributions to the UN Trust Fund.
In a statement, the ministry acknowledged the pause on $15 million (Ksh129 million) but assured that the mission remains financially secure. Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi confirmed that donor countries had secured $110 million (Ksh14.7 trillion) to sustain operations through at least September 2025.
In October 2023, the UN Security Council approved the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, aimed at assisting Haitian authorities in combating criminal gangs that dominate large areas of the country.
In late January, Guterres cautioned that without increased international support for the security mission, gangs could take control of Haiti’s capital.
He emphasized the urgent need for additional funding, equipment, and personnel for the international force, warning that further delays could lead to the “catastrophic” collapse of Haiti’s security institutions and potentially allow gangs to seize the entire metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince.
President William Ruto interacting with Kenya Police in Haiti. /PCS