By Shadrack Nyakoe
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Kipchumba Murkomen, has officially flagged off the fourth contingent of National Police Service (NPS) officers set to join the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM) in Haiti.
Speaking at the event on Friday, Murkomen expressed confidence in the officers’ ability to support Haiti’s security efforts, emphasizing that the mission has the backing of the United Nations and the international community. He reiterated Kenya’s commitment to restoring stability in the Caribbean nation, which has been plagued by violent gang activity.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja highlighted the importance of collaboration between the newly deployed officers, the Haitian National Police, and other MSSM units. The contingent consists of elite officers drawn from various NPS formations and units, who will join the first three groups deployed last year and earlier this year. Kenya leads the mission alongside officers from Jamaica, Guatemala, El Salvador, the Bahamas, and Belize.
The flag-off ceremony was attended by high-ranking government officials, including Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration Raymond Omollo, Principal Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Korir Sing’oei, National Security Advisor Ambassador Monica Juma, and Consul-General to Haiti Noor Gabow. Also present were Deputy NSA and former Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet, Kenya Airways Chief Operating Officer Kamal George, and other senior NPS officers.
U.S. Freezes Funding for Haiti Mission
The deployment comes amid uncertainty over funding for the UN-backed mission after the United States announced a freeze on part of its financial contributions. The United Nations confirmed that Washington had halted $13.3 million of the $15 million it had pledged to the MSSM trust fund, citing an executive order by President Donald Trump.
The decision stems from Trump’s directive to pause foreign aid for 90 days, issued on his first day back in office. The U.S. State Department confirmed the freeze but noted that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had approved waivers for an additional $40.7 million to support the Haitian National Police and the MSSM.
Despite the funding setback, a Kenyan government official told Reuters that the trust fund still had sufficient resources to sustain operations until the end of September.
The MSSM mission, led by Kenya, aims to curb escalating gang violence in Haiti, particularly in the capital, Port-au-Prince, where armed groups have attempted to seize full control. The funding freeze raises concerns over long-term financial stability for the operation as the crisis in Haiti deepens.
Kenya’s continued commitment to the mission underscores its growing role in international peacekeeping efforts, even as global funding uncertainties persist.