Why Kenyan force in Haiti might not come back

The Kenyan-led peace mission in Haiti maybe extended beyond the October 2, 2025 if a deal fronted by the United States in collaboration with Panama goes through.

The Standard has established that Donald Trump’s administration is rallying its partners to urgently sign a critical resolution that will allow the introduction of a United Nations Security Council resolution to establish a larger gang-suppression force in Haiti.

On Monday, the United States confirmed it is rallying its partners to urgently pass the critical resolution.

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau on Monday said the US and Panama had worked with Haiti to introduce a UN Security Council resolution to establish a larger gang-suppression force with a broader mandate and a UN support office for Haiti.

Landu was speaking during a high-level meeting on Haiti hosted by Kenya and the US at the United Nations headquarters in New York on the sidelines of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly.

READ: Ruto calls for logistical support for success of Haiti mission

This he said was in line with an impassioned plea by President William Ruto.

Following the plea, Mr Landu said the US will rally support for the transition of the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti.

Mr Landau called on all US partners to join them in pressing for this critical resolution before the MSS mission mandate expires on October 2, 2025.

He said the new force would consist of 5,500 personnel, more than five times the size of the current MSS.

“This effort responds to the call from our partners in Kenya and has the full endorsement of Haiti. All 32 members of the Organisation of American States have also signed onto a joint statement calling for the urgent passing of this resolution,” he said.

Haiti Transitional Presidential Council President Laurent Saint-Cyr and President Nataša Pirc Musar of Slovenia were among those present.

Earlier on at the same meeting, President Ruto called on the international community to urgently strengthen logistical support for Haiti’s security operations, warning that weak supply systems have hampered the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission.

Ruto said Kenya’s deployment had been operating at only 40 per cent capacity due to logistical failures that left officers exposed in hostile zones and unable to expand operations.

“It was expected there would have been force multipliers, armoured vehicles and logistical support to make the mission successful. Unfortunately, most of the vehicles we received were second-hand, and they broke down and put our people in grave danger in hostile areas,” said Ruto.

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According to him, the mission had planned to set up 12 operating bases in territories secured from gangs, but this could not happen because equipment, food and other essentials were stuck in Port-au-Prince due to weak logistical support architecture. 

“We must be serious. The people of Haiti deserve better,” he said.

Despite the challenges, President Ruto outlined progress made under the MSS since Kenya deployed its first contingent of 200 officers in June 2024.

 He noted that the airport, once surrounded by gangs, is now operational; the presidential palace and police headquarters have been secured; the police academy has resumed training and recently graduated 750 officers; ports have reopened; and schools and hospitals are functioning again.

The President also honoured the courage and sacrifice of Kenya Police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, standing for peace and stability in Haiti.

“We particularly honour three Kenyan officers - Samuel Tomoi Kaetuai, Benedict Kabiru, and Kennedy Nzuve - who lost their lives in the line of duty. May their precious souls rest in eternal peace,” he said.

His sentiments were echoed by Landu who said the Kenyan-led mission lacked the mandate and resources necessary to address the challenge in Haiti.