A fourth contingent of Kenyan police has arrived in Haiti to support efforts to curb gang violence, despite the U.S. freezing a portion of its financial aid for the U.N.-backed mission.
The latest deployment of 200 officers joins more than 600 Kenyan personnel already working alongside Haitian police as part of a multinational security operation that includes forces from Jamaica, Guatemala, and El Salvador.
The U.S. recently halted $13.3 million in funding as part of broader foreign aid freezes under President Donald Trump.
However, mission commander Godfrey Otunge downplayed the impact, noting that the cut represents less than 3% of total funding, with other sources of support still in place.
The U.S. State Department confirmed that $40.7 million in aid has been approved, covering armoured vehicles and logistical assistance.
During a visit to the Dominican Republic, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to the mission, calling for its expansion to address Haiti’s deepening security crisis.
With gangs controlling 85% of Port-au-Prince, the mission continues to struggle with funding and personnel shortages as violence escalates.
