Kenyan Police Strengthen Haiti Mission as US Freezes Funding

Despite a partial financing suspension by the United States for the UN-backed mission, a fourth group of Kenyan police landed in Haiti on Thursday to assist in combating violent gangs.

The 200 cops join nearly 600 Kenyans who are already working with Haitian police as part of a global initiative that includes Jamaica, Guatemala and El Salvador.

This comes after the United States froze $13.3 million in aid as part of President Donald Trump’s broader foreign assistance freeze. 

However mission leader Godfrey Otunge downplayed worries stating that the drop represented less than 3% of total financing with continued backing from the United States and other allies.

The United States State Department reported that $40.7 million in aid has been approved which includes armoured vehicles and logistical support. 

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During a visit to the Dominican Republic, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed Washington’s commitment and called for an expansion of the mission to address Haiti’s deteriorating security situation.

Gangs control 85% of the capital, Port-au-Prince and the mission is experiencing money and personnel shortages as violence rises.