Whitman Sets Record Straight on US Involvement in Haiti-Kenya Mission

The United States Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman has provided clarification regarding the US role in the deployment of Kenyan police forces to Haiti.

Speaking in an interview, Whitman emphasizes that the decision to send Kenyan officers to the Caribbean nation was not a unilateral action by the United States, but rather a response to a request from the international community. The Ambassador highlights that while the US did not directly dispatch Kenyan police, it has provided substantial financial backing and equipment to support the mission. Whitman elaborates on the US approach to global security interventions, noting that the country does not automatically deploy its own forces in every unstable situation. In this particular case, the decision was made to support the mission through other means.

The Ambassador expresses the international community's appreciation for Kenya's leadership in the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM) in Haiti, praising the efforts of the Kenyan police and their collaboration with local Haitian law enforcement. The deployment of Kenyan police to Haiti is part of a broader international initiative to address the severe gang violence that has engulfed the country. Haiti has been grappling with widespread criminal activity, resulting in numerous homicides, kidnappings, and the displacement of many residents. The Haitian police force has struggled to maintain order, prompting the need for external assistance. In response to this crisis, the United Nations Security Council approved the deployment of international forces led by Kenya in October 2023.

Kenya's involvement in this mission marks a significant milestone as it represents the first time the East African nation has led a security operation outside the African continent. The Kenyan government has dispatched two groups of police officers, totalling 1,000 personnel to Haiti. The first contingent of 400 officers departed on June 24, 2024, followed by a second team on July 16, 2024. The mission's mandate focuses on assisting Haitian police in securing critical infrastructure and combating criminal groups that have gained control over large portions of the capital, Port-au-Prince. International forces are tasked with guarding key public installations such as airports, ports, and hospitals, while also coordinating with local law enforcement in anti-crime operations.

Despite facing some challenges, including reports of delayed allowances for deployed officers, the Kenyan-led mission has made notable progress in stabilizing the situation in Haiti. The international forces have successfully taken control of critical infrastructure from gang domination. Ambassador Whitman has acknowledged the allowance delay issue and assures that steps are being taken to resolve it promptly and prevent future occurrences. The United States has played a crucial role in financially supporting the mission, contributing $100 million and actively participating in fundraising efforts to ensure its success.