Wamalwa backs plan to replace Kenyan-led mission in Haiti
By Kenneth Mwenda, September 22, 2025Eugene Wamalwa has reiterated his opposition to what he called the unconstitutional deployment of Kenyan officers in Haiti.
Talking to X on Monday, September 22, 2025, Wamalwa said law-abiding Kenyans who respect the rule of law, including himself and Kalonzo Musyoka, have never supported deployments that defy court orders.
He wished the Kenyan men and women serving in Haiti a safe return home. Wamalwa expressed his condolences to the families of officers who lost their lives and those still missing.
“We wish our men and women in uniform a safe return home as the Haiti mission ends and is replaced by a UN-backed international peacekeeping mission, which we support,” Wamalwa said. “Our hearts and prayers are with the families that lost their dear ones as well as the ones missing until they all come home.”
Apart from Wamalwa, Mumias East MP Peter Salasya, who also opposed the mission, said that sending Kenyan police to Haiti was ill-advised.
Ruto calls urgent action
Meanwhile, President William Ruto, addressing a high-level meeting on Haiti in New York, highlighted the urgency of a proper transition. He said the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission is approaching the end of its mandate in just 11 days.
“The next mission, the one thing that Kenya will not do is to walk away from Haiti in haste. That we will not do,” Ruto said. “Because whatever has been achieved, if we don’t provide a proper transition, we are unlikely to lose everything. The mandate of the MSS is coming up in the next 11 days, and therefore, we don’t have much time.”
Ruto urged the international community, particularly the permanent members of the UN Security Council, to act quickly and ensure a seamless handover. He said Haiti deserved urgent and serious attention at a time when progress remains fragile.
According to Ruto, since Kenya took charge of the MSS Mission 15 months ago, significant gains have been made despite limited resources. The 989-strong contingent, mostly Kenyan officers, has restored security at Port-au-Prince airport, reopened major roads, and secured the presidential palace, police headquarters, and training centre. The police academy recently graduated 750 officers, a symbolic milestone in re-establishing state authority.
The head of state had earlier stated that the success of the Haitian security mission success will improve Kenya’s global profile.
However, Ruto noted that the mission has operated at only 40 per cent of its intended strength. The initial plan was to deploy 2,500 officers and have armoured personnel carriers and full logistical support. While the United States provided vehicles, most were second-hand and frequently broke down, sometimes in dangerous areas, putting officers at risk.
Kenyan officers have also paid a heavy price. Several have died since deployment, including one in a gang ambush in March and another in a road accident in August. Despite these losses, MSS personnel have maintained order under extremely difficult conditions.