MSS Force Commander Lt. Gen. Godfrey Otunge Denies Claims of U.S. Funding Suspension, Affirms Continued Support for Haiti Operation
MSS Force Commander Lt. Gen. Godfrey Otunge has dismissed claims that the United States has suspended funding for the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti.
Otunge reassured the public that the international security deployment continues to receive both logistical and strategic support, despite recent reports suggesting a freeze in U.S. assistance.
The confusion arose after CNN’s international correspondent Larry Madowo shared new details regarding U.S. funding for the operation. While reports initially suggested that the U.S. had frozen all funding for the MSS mission, Madowo clarified that not all financial support had been paused.
According to a spokesperson from the U.S. State Department, some funding had been disbursed, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio signing off on a consignment of armored equipment and waivers for $40.7 million (Ksh 5.2 billion) to support both the MSS and the Haitian National Police (HNP).
Madowo further confirmed that the U.S. had delivered heavy armored equipment to the MSS and HNP, which was seen as a positive sign of continued commitment.
The U.S. had, however, paused its contribution of $13.3 million (approximately Ksh 1.7 billion) to the UN Trust Fund designated for the mission.
Despite this, the total funds the U.S. has provided to support the MSS mission directly remain unaffected. The $15 million (Ksh 1.9 billion) allocated to the Trust Fund represents less than 3% of the total funds intended for the MSS mission, according to the State Department spokesperson.
This clarification came in response to reports on February 5th suggesting that former President Donald Trump had ordered the suspension of all funding for the mission.
These reports mentioned a 90-day pause on disbursements amounting to $15 million (Ksh 1.9 billion) as the U.S. reviewed its position on the mission.
In response, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Korir Sing’oei, assured the public that the pause in U.S. contributions to the UN Trust Fund would not significantly affect the mission.
Sing’oei highlighted that other international donors, including Canada, France, Turkey, Spain, Italy, and Algeria, had already pledged a total of $110.3 million (Ksh 14.2 billion) to the Trust Fund by the end of 2024.
He emphasized that the Trust Fund had enough resources to continue supporting the mission until September 2025.
Later in the day, the MSS issued a statement reiterating that the U.S. government remains committed to the mission. The statement clarified that the temporary pause was part of a routine review during the transition between administrations.
Despite this, the MSS mission continues without interruption, with all necessary mechanisms in place for its ongoing operations.
Lt. Gen. Otunge’s remarks, alongside these clarifications, have sought to put to rest concerns over the U.S. funding pause, reaffirming that the Kenya-led MSS mission in Haiti remains a top priority for both the U.S. government and its international partners.
MSS Force Commander Lt. Gen. Godfrey Otunge dismisses claims that the United States has suspended assistance to the Haiti operation, reaffirming that the international security deployment continues to receive logistical and strategic support. pic.twitter.com/GQUjs00rOK
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) February 6, 2025
