President William Ruto’s plan to send Kenyan police officers to Haiti has hit a major obstacle after former US President Donald Trump successfully pushed for the freezing of $11 million (KSh 1.71 billion) in US funding for the mission, that is according to reports by Nation Africa.
This decision is part of a broader 90-day freeze on foreign aid as Trump challenges President Joe Biden’s policies ahead of the US elections.
The United Nations has confirmed that Washington has been ordered to stop contributing to the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, creating new uncertainties about its future.
This development is a serious setback for Ruto, who had positioned Kenya as a key player in global security by agreeing to lead the mission to restore order in Haiti.
The deployment has already faced legal and logistical challenges, and with funding from key partners now uncertain, the entire mission is at risk of further delays or even cancellation. The US had pledged over $200 million for the mission, and the frozen KSh 1.71 billion was part of an initial aid package.
With Trump’s influence growing and Republican lawmakers opposing foreign interventions, the future of the mission is now uncertain.
Kenya’s involvement in Haiti has faced opposition at home as well. The Supreme Court initially ruled the deployment unconstitutional, forcing Ruto’s administration to seek approval from Parliament.
Although Parliament eventually gave the green light, critics, including opposition leaders and human rights activists, have continued to question the decision.
Now, with funding in limbo, the government faces even more challenges in justifying the deployment.The US aid freeze also raises concerns about whether other financial commitments from allies such as Canada and France will be affected. Without sufficient funding, Kenya may struggle to meet its commitments, and the mission could become unfeasible.
Meanwhile, conditions in Haiti continue to deteriorate, with gangs controlling large parts of the capital, Port-au-Prince. The lack of security remains a major crisis, but without international support, Kenya’s ability to make a difference is questionable.
Trump’s move has introduced a new level of uncertainty for Ruto’s foreign policy strategy. The Kenyan president has been seeking to boost his international reputation by taking on high-profile security roles, but the funding freeze threatens to derail his efforts.
With Trump’s influence in US politics growing and the Republican stance on foreign aid becoming more rigid, Kenya must now reassess its position.
The coming months will be critical as Ruto navigates these challenges and determines whether the Haiti mission can still proceed.
