Can't read it? Listen now!
Kenya’s Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, has dismissed reports claiming that Kenyan officers deployed in the United Nations-backed peacekeeping mission in Haiti have gone unpaid for three months. The allegations, which surfaced in Kenyan media, cited complaints from unnamed officers. However, Kanja clarified that salaries have been paid “up to the end of October.”
The Kenyan-led contingent, deployed in June 2024, is part of an international effort to address escalating gang violence in Haiti. The deployment represents the fourth major foreign intervention in the Caribbean nation. Despite this, the mission faces scrutiny regarding its effectiveness and financial management.
Kenyan Treasury Minister John Mbadi revealed that Kenya has spent over 2 billion Kenyan shillings ($15 million) on the mission. He noted that Kenya is covering costs upfront and awaiting reimbursement from the U.N.
“This money we are spending on behalf of the U.N., we are the ones making the payment so the money comes from our exchequer because these are our officers,” Mbadi said in a recent media statement.
The funding structure has raised concerns over potential delays in reimbursements, adding complexity to the mission’s financial sustainability.
Haiti remains a volatile environment, with gang violence claiming over 4,500 lives in 2024 alone, according to U.N. data. An estimated 700,000 people have been displaced as armed groups vie for territorial control, often using brutal tactics such as arson and looting.
While some Haitians support foreign intervention to restore order, others approach the Kenyan-led mission with skepticism. Memories of the U.N.’s previous peacekeeping mission (2004-2017) linger, marred by allegations of sexual abuse and the introduction of cholera, which killed nearly 10,000 people.
Critics also highlight the mission’s lack of significant progress. As of now, no gang leaders have been arrested, and gang strongholds remain largely untouched, leading to doubts about the mission’s capacity and strategy.
The Multinational Security Support (MSS) Force Commander, Godfrey Otunge, has called the claims of unpaid officers “inaccurate and malicious.” He emphasized that all personnel have received their salaries and monthly allowances, and no resignations have been tendered as alleged. Otunge urged media outlets to verify facts with the MSS before publishing reports, advocating for transparent communication.
“The officers continue to demonstrate dedication in their mission to restore peace in Haiti,” Otunge stated.
The Kenyan-led mission faces increasing pressure to demonstrate tangible results amid escalating violence. Meanwhile, international actors, including the United States, have pushed for greater U.N. involvement, citing the mission’s limited resources and funding as significant barriers.
As the situation in Haiti deteriorates, the Kenyan contingent remains on the frontlines of a challenging peacekeeping effort, working to rebuild trust and stability in a nation scarred by years of conflict.
