Kenya’s leadership in the Haiti Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) has come under fire after President William Ruto admitted the operation has been struggling with major logistical gaps. Foreign policy expert Ahmed Hashi has faulted Ruto’s approach, saying the mission lacked proper preparation before deployment.
During the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Ruto revealed that the mission has been running at only 40 percent capacity due to shortages of personnel, equipment, and logistical resources. He also disclosed that most of the vehicles provided were second-hand and prone to breakdowns, which left Kenyan officers vulnerable in dangerous areas.
Why was Kenya unprepared for the Haiti mission?
Hashi, speaking on Spice FM, questioned the government’s decision to deploy troops without securing critical resources. “President Ruto was saying that they got second-hand cars in Haiti. They didn’t get the support that they needed. They need the logistics… didn’t President Ruto and his foreign minister have a checklist of what they needed when they were going to Haiti?” he asked.
He emphasized that any international mission requires proper planning, including training for at least 60 to 90 days on specialized equipment and ensuring air cover. According to Hashi, the lack of these essentials not only weakens Kenya’s position but also undermines the safety of its troops.
What risks does Kenya face without a stronger capacity?
Hashi warned that Kenya risks losing credibility if it continues to rely on Western powers for logistical backing. “You can’t keep going to the Americans or the Europeans and say, we’re building world peace, but are not being provided with the infrastructure for our soldiers. We need to strengthen our own internal mechanisms for doing these things,” he argued.
At least three Kenyan officers have already been killed in Haiti. With the MSS mandate set to expire on October 2, both the U.S. and Haiti have called for a successor mission with broader resources. Ruto has outlined three priorities moving forward: a clear mandate, predictable funding, and reliable logistical support, warning that repeating past mistakes could jeopardize future operations.
Despite the challenges, Ruto maintained that Haiti’s crisis can be resolved. “I believe that the situation in Haiti can be solved; it is not Mission Impossible. What is going on in Haiti is unacceptable, indefensible, simply wrong,” he said.
By Lucky Anyanje