Kenya Challenges UN Report on Haiti Mission, Defends Troops Against Rape Allegations
Nairobi, April 8, 2025 — Kenya has formally protested a United Nations report that it claims misrepresented findings exonerating its peacekeepers from sexual abuse allegations during their deployment in Haiti.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi sent a strongly worded letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres on April 7, arguing that the organization’s recent report failed to acknowledge that Kenyan personnel had been cleared of wrongdoing following a thorough investigation.
Disputed Allegations
The controversy stems from accusations made in August 2025, when Kenyan officers serving in Haiti’s Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission were accused of sexual exploitation and abuse. Mudavadi stated that a Board of Inquiry swiftly investigated the claims and found no evidence to support them.
“No formal complaints were ever filed, and the findings were transparently shared with Haitian authorities and UN human rights offices,” Mudavadi wrote. He emphasized that the Kenyan government had acted with full accountability, yet the UN’s report (A/80/644) still implicated Kenyan forces in four confirmed cases of misconduct.
Kenya Seeks Corrections
Concerned that the report could damage the reputation of its troops, Kenya has instructed its permanent missions in Geneva and New York to engage UN offices and demand corrections. Mudavadi stressed that the MSS mission had strictly followed UN protocols, including human rights training and civilian protection measures.
“Throughout our deployment, not a single verified case of misconduct was recorded,” he said. “These allegations risk undermining the credibility of our personnel, who have served with professionalism under difficult conditions.”
Transition to Gang Suppression Force
The MSS mission has since evolved into a Gang Suppression Force (GSF), aimed at tackling Haiti’s escalating gang violence. Mudavadi noted that Kenya’s disciplined performance had bolstered international confidence, with multiple countries pledging support for the GSF.
However, the mission has not been without sacrifice. Three Kenyan officers—Samuel Tomoi Kaetuai, Benedict Kabiru, and Kennedy Nzuve—died during the deployment, while others were injured.
Pushback Against “Sensationalism”
Mudavadi criticized what he called “media-driven sensationalism” around the allegations, arguing that Kenya’s commitment to Haiti’s stability should not be overshadowed by unverified claims.
“Kenya remains dedicated to Haiti’s long-term peace and a smooth transition to the GSF,” he said. “We continue to uphold a rules-based international order and call for global solidarity in supporting Haiti’s security.”
The dispute highlights the delicate balance of international peacekeeping, where troop-contributing nations often face scrutiny while operating in high-risk environments. Kenya’s push for clarity underscores its determination to defend its soldiers’ integrity while maintaining its role as a key UN partner.
— Reported by Nexio News
