By Swaleh –
The United States has pledged to back the transition of Kenya’s Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) in Haiti, just days before its mandate expires on October 2, 2025.
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, speaking during a high-level meeting on Haiti at the UN General Assembly on Monday, confirmed efforts were underway to form a larger gang-suppression force of 5,500 personnel—over five times the size of the current mission. The US, together with Panama and Haiti, has introduced a UN Security Council resolution to formalize the force and create a UN support office for Haiti.
“All 32 members of the Organisation of American States have signed a joint statement calling for urgent passage of this resolution,” Landau said, noting the move responds to Kenya’s call for stronger global commitment.
President William Ruto, co-host of the meeting, urged the international community to provide a more predictable and structured intervention, criticizing the reliance on “guesswork” and goodwill that slowed the Kenyan-led mission.
“I want to persuade members of the international community to take the matters of Haiti as seriously as it deserves and hopefully provide a transition that ensures we don’t let the people of Haiti down,” Ruto stated.
Ruto also highlighted the MSS’s successes, including:
Securing the airport and presidential palace
Reclaiming police headquarters and training academy from gangs
Reopening schools and hospitals
He further honored the sacrifice of three Kenyan officers—Samuel Tomoi Kaetuai, Benedict Kabiru, and Kennedy Nzuve—who were killed in action.
The expanded multinational force is expected to take over when Kenya’s mission mandate lapses in early October.
