President William Ruto spoke with United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday, November 7.
The Head of State disclosed that they discussed the transition of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) in Haiti into a UN peacekeeping operation.
"I have had a constructive conversation with US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken on the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) in Haiti. We discussed the transition of the mission into a UN peacekeeping operation to enhance the capability of the mission to help stabilise," Ruto wrote on X.
He added, "Kenya and the United States are continuously working together to enhance our collaboration to ensure improved governance. This includes the fight against corruption and provision of capacity building to make our security institutions more efficient, effective and accountable in the discharge of their mandate."
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During a visit to Haiti in September 2024, Ruto expressed openness to the idea of transitioning MSS to a UN peacekeeping operation.
"We have absolutely no problem with the suggestion to transition this into a fully U.N. peacekeeping mission if that is the direction the U.N. Security Council wants to take," he said.
The Haitian government, including the Transitional Presidential Council, also advocated for transforming the MSS into a UN peacekeeping mission, believing it would ensure more stable funding and enhance operational capabilities.
Initially, the United States had proposed this transition but later withdrew the suggestion due to opposition from China and Russia.
Supporters of a UN peacekeeping mission argued that it would provide more consistent funding and resources compared to the current model of voluntary contributions for the MSS.
Elsewhere, the United Nations Security Council unanimously voted to extend the mandate of the MSS mission in Haiti for another year, until October 2, 2025.
This decision came in response to the ongoing security challenges and rampant gang violence that have plagued Haiti.
The resolution, which was led by the United States and Ecuador, aims to provide police forces with additional time to address the alarming surge of violent gangs in the country.
Currently, the MSS has approximately 400 police officers deployed to support the Haitian National Police with the full deployment of the planned 2,500 officers expected by January as indicated by Ruto.
"I must emphasise that Kenya will deploy the additional contingent towards attaining the target of all the 2,500 police officers by January next year," he said in a speech at the United Nations General Assembly.
