President William Ruto has praised the United States for supporting the Kenyan-led Multilateral Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti but faulted Washington for supplying second-hand vehicles that frequently broke down and put personnel in danger.
“I must commend the United States; they did make available logistics and vehicles. But unfortunately, most of the vehicles were second-hand, and therefore, they broke down many times. In fact, it put our personnel in great danger when they broke down in very dangerous places,” Ruto said.
RELATED – Haiti Accident Claims Life of Kenyan Officer, Injures Eight MSS Colleagues
He spoke during a high-level meeting on Haiti at the United Nations headquarters in New York, which had been convened on the sidelines of the 80th General Assembly.
Cooperation With Haiti Delivering Results
Ruto also lamented the lack of serious support from other international partners but praised the government and police leadership in Haiti for closely collaborating with the MSS.
He credited this partnership with driving gangs from the airport and port, opening up principal roads, reconstructing the police headquarters and academy, and resuscitating schools and hospitals.
Despite these gains, Ruto disclosed that the MSS has been operating at only 40 per cent of its intended strength, well below the original plan of 2,500 personnel, and still lacks crucial assets such as armored carriers and adequate logistical support.
“Even under these constraints, the gangs, cowards by nature, have retreated when confronted,” he said.
Calls for UN Action Before Mandate Expires
With the MSS mandate set to run out in 11 days, Ruto called on the UN Security Council (UNSC), especially its five permanent members, to ensure a responsible transition to a successor mission.
He warned that without a clear mandate, predictable resources, and dependable logistical support, the progress already made could easily be reversed.
“Haitians are part of our shared humanity and deserve the same security and dignity as any other people,” Ruto stated.
He pledged that Kenya remained ready to support the transition and continue backing Haiti’s pursuit of lasting peace.
The post ‘Half a Force, Second-Hand Vehicles’: Ruto’s UN Outcry on Haiti Mission appeared first on Bossnana.
