Kenya's Haiti mission could receive more US support

U.S. State Secretary nominee Marco Rubio has lauded Kenya's leadership in the multinational security mission in Haiti, noting its critical role in restoring stability to the Caribbean nation.

Speaking before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio, a US Senator, commended Kenya’s efforts while urging foreign partners to provide additional financial and logistical support.

“The Kenyans are there, and they deserve a lot of credit for being willing to take on that mission. In recent days, missions from other countries have arrived to contribute to that effort,” Rubio told the committee.

The Florida senator suggested that the United States may increase its backing for the mission, though questions about its long-term commitment remain, under the Trump administration.

“I don’t think anyone can tell you they have a master plan for how to fix that overnight. It begins with stability and security. You have to establish baseline security, but it won’t come from a U.S. military intervention,” he said.

Rubio highlighted the need for collaboration among foreign partners in the Western Hemisphere to ensure security and stability in Haiti, “so that you can explore the opportunities to have transitional governments that have legitimacy, that can ultimately lead to the conduct of elections. It will take a long time.”

While the U.S. has declined to participate directly in the Kenya-led mission in gang-controlled Port-au-Prince over potential geopolitical misinterpretations, it has contributed over $200 million to the peacekeeping efforts.

The support includes weapons, intelligence, and armored vehicles, despite opposition from some Republican lawmakers.

Kenya has deployed at least 400 police officers to Haiti since last year, with an additional 200 expected to arrive this month.

The country had pledged to send a total of 1,000 officers to help quell the violence gripping the Haitian capital.

The extent of future U.S. involvement remains uncertain, but Rubio’s remarks signal a potential for increased support as Kenya continues to lead the peace efforts.