Kenyan President William Ruto has delivered a powerful plea to the international community to intensify support for Haiti, warning that without a clear transition plan and adequate resources, hard-won progress in the violence-hit Caribbean nation could quickly unravel.
Speaking during a high-level side event at the United Nations in New York, President Ruto defended Kenya’s leadership of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, while sharply criticizing the lack of consistent international backing.
“The gangs are not invincible,” Ruto said. “Haiti is not a lost cause.”
“The people of Haiti may be of African descent, but they are members of the human race like us and they deserve as much, not less,” Ruto said.
Kenya took the lead of the MSS mission in 2024, after a request from the Haitian authorities and with authorization from the UN Security Council under Resolution 2699.
The first 200 Kenyan police officers arrived in Port-au-Prince in June of that year, tasked with helping to contain spiraling gang violence and restore law and order in areas that had effectively collapsed under criminal control.
Today, the MSS mission has deployed 989 officers 735 from Kenya, alongside personnel from Guatemala, El Salvador, Jamaica, The Bahamas, and Canada.
According to President Ruto, the changes on the ground are clear:
The airport, once surrounded by gangs, is now operational.
The presidential palace is secure.
Police training academies have resumed, graduating 750 new Haitian officers.
Roads, ports, hospitals, and schools are reopening many for the first time in years.
“When we first stepped into Haiti, even landing was unsafe,” Ruto recalled. “Today, cargo and passenger flights are moving. We’ve driven gangs out of key areas.”
Global Support ‘Hesitant and Inadequate’
Despite these achievements, Ruto was candid about the obstacles Kenya has faced. He revealed that the mission has been operating at only 40% of its intended strength and criticized the lack of force multipliers, reliable equipment, and logistical support from key partners.
He acknowledged the United States for donating vehicles, but said many of them were second-hand and prone to breakdowns sometimes in hostile areas, putting personnel at risk.
“We didn’t get any useful support from other quarters,” he said. “What is going on that we cannot marshal enough support to drive out the gangs is unacceptable, indefensible, and simply wrong.”
Ruto emphasized that with even minimal resistance, many gang members had gone into hiding, proving the threat was not insurmountable.
Lives Lost, Sacrifices Made
The President paid tribute to the officers serving in Haiti and highlighted the sacrifices made in the line of duty. Three Kenyan officers Samuel Tomoi Kaetuai, Benedict Kabiru, and Kennedy Nzuve lost their lives during the mission.
“They overcame tremendous odds to deliver on a difficult but vital mandate,” Ruto said. “We honour their memory and service to humanity.”
He praised the discipline and professionalism of all MSS personnel, noting their adherence to international standards, including the UN Human Rights Due Diligence Policy.
A Mission Worth Continuing
Ruto was clear: while Kenya is prepared to continue supporting Haiti, it cannot and should not do so alone.
He said the MSS was never meant to be the final solution, but a critical intervention to stabilize the situation and open space for broader reforms.
He urged the UN Security Council to ensure a seamless and well-supported transition to the next phase of international engagement in Haiti, warning that rushing out without a plan could undo all the progress made.
“If we do not transition properly, we may lose what we’ve achieved,” he said. “Kenya will not abandon Haiti but we cannot do it alone.”
Looking Ahead
The MSS mandate is set for review in just over a week. As pressure mounts for a long-term strategy in Haiti, President Ruto’s message was clear: Haiti is not a lost cause and the world must not look away.
“We must stop treating Haiti as a problem to postpone,” Ruto said. “This is a historic opportunity to do right by the Haitian people. Let’s not waste it.”
