Kenyan President William Ruto is currently on a three-day state visit to the United States, marking the first such trip for an African leader since 2008. Ruto’s meeting with US President Joe Biden will focus on a multinational security intervention in Haiti, led by Kenya and backed by Washington. Despite US reluctance to contribute forces, they are the mission’s biggest funder, sparking debate and opposition in Kenya.
Haiti has been experiencing severe violence as gangs declared war on the government, resulting in thousands of casualties and displacements. Former Prime Minister Ariel Henry sought UN assistance but struggled to find support until Kenya proposed a police mission led by them. The Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) was approved by the UN Security Council, with the US and Ecuador supporting it financially. The 2,500-strong force will include 1,000 Kenyan police officers, with training and deployment preparations already underway.
The MSS mission has faced strong opposition in Kenya, with legislators and activists raising concerns about extrajudicial killings by the police and the constitutionality of the deployment. Despite legal challenges and government pauses due to political turmoil in Haiti, Ruto remains committed to the mission, citing a duty to humanity. The legacy of previous foreign interventions in Haiti, such as the UN mission, has also led to skepticism and caution among Haitians and observers.
The US’s decision to support Kenya for the mission, despite not contributing forces themselves, remains unclear. Kenya’s strategic importance to the US in the Horn of Africa and cooperation on security matters may have influenced this choice. Ruto’s visit to the US also comes at a time when the US is looking to counter Chinese and Russian influence in Africa, amid economic challenges and debt concerns in Kenya. Business partnerships, climate financing, and investments are on the agenda for discussions between Biden and Ruto.
Ruto’s visit to the US highlights the growing security cooperation between the two countries, despite differing views on the Haiti mission. The US’s reliance on Kenya for regional security interests and Kenya’s pursuit of foreign investment to address financial challenges are key factors shaping their relationship. The focus on climate financing and economic partnerships underscores the mutual interests of both countries and the potential for collaboration in addressing global challenges.
