Blow to RUTO as DONALD TRUMP freezes KSh 1. 7 billion funding for the Haiti Mission days after RUTO revealed the U. S support
President William Ruto faces a major setback as the U. S. Government has frozen over US$13 million (KSh 1. 7 billion) allocated for Kenya’s Haiti-led Multinational Security Mission, following President Donald Trump’s 90-day freeze on foreign aid.
This unexpected decision has left Kenyan officials racing for clarity regarding the mission’s future.
The U. S. , the main backer of the mission, had promised KSh 1. 9 billion, but with KSh 219 million already utilized, the remaining KSh 1. 6 billion is now uncertain.
The freeze is part of Trump’s extensive foreign aid suspension, which has disrupted various global initiatives.
U. N. spokesman Stéphane Dujarric cautioned of an “immediate impact” on operations in Haiti, raising significant concerns about the viability of Kenya’s involvement.
Kenyan officers, who first deployed to Haiti in June 2024, now encounter increasing uncertainty.
Although President Ruto assured that Trump had committed to ongoing support, the latest events cast doubt on Kenya’s capability to maintain its 1,000-strong deployment.
The arrival of 200 additional officers last month highlights Kenya’s dedication, yet financial constraints may hinder their mission effectiveness.
Meanwhile, Haiti continues to grapple with violence, recording over 5,600 deaths due to gang activity last year and displacing more than a million people.
As Kenya leads the multinational force, its officers find themselves in a more precarious situation, with no clear timeline for whenor ifthe U. S. will restore the vital funding.
