Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has assured the public that Kenyan officers deployed to Haiti under the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission have been paid their salaries up to the end of October, dispelling concerns about remuneration delays.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Kanja commended the officers for their leadership in efforts to restore stability in Haiti, a nation plagued by violence and unrest.
His statement followed earlier reports that officers had raised concerns about delays in payment since leading the mission from its launch on June 25, 2024.
Kanja acknowledged the financial challenges facing the UN-backed mission, which relies on voluntary contributions from donor countries. Many nations have yet to fulfill their financial commitments, causing logistical difficulties.
Kenya has so far spent over Ksh. 2 billion on the mission, with the expectation that these funds will be reimbursed by the United Nations. Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi explained that the government is funding the operation directly from its exchequer since the officers are Kenyan nationals.
The mission’s future, however, remains uncertain as international support wanes. Questions have been raised about whether US President-elect Donald Trump will honor the outgoing administration’s Ksh. 12 billion pledge to the mission, further complicating its sustainability.
