Marco Rubio, Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of State, recently praised troops on a mission in Haiti. He specifically highlighted the courage and commitment of Kenyan forces involved in the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS). Despite being outgunned and outnumbered, the Kenyan troops have continued to carry out their duties.
At a forum in the US, Rubio acknowledged the efforts of the Kenyan soldiers, noting their determination to restore order in Haiti. “The Kenyans deserve a lot of credit for being willing to take on that mission,” Rubio said. He also mentioned that troops from other countries had recently arrived to assist.
Rubio emphasized that restoring order in Haiti is a difficult task. “I don’t think anyone can claim to have a master plan to fix the situation overnight,” he stated. He added that the effort should start with stability and security.
Kenya has been leading the MSS mission in Haiti, which was approved by the United Nations Security Council on October 2, 2023. The mission is under the leadership of Police Commander Godfrey Otunge, who works closely with the Haitian National Police. Its main goal is to help restore law and order amid escalating violence and unrest.
In late 2024, the UN Security Council extended the mission for another year. There is ongoing discussion about whether the mission should be converted into a full UN peacekeeping operation, although Russia and China have voiced opposition to the change.
