President William Ruto has once again defended Kenya’s involvement in the Haiti peace mission, even as he sharply criticized some powerful nations for failing to honor the promises they made to support the initiative.
Speaking in New York, where he is attending the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Ruto lamented that while Kenya has shown leadership by deploying police officers to help restore stability in Haiti, many nations that pledged financial and logistical backing have failed to match their words with action.
In a strongly-worded address, Ruto accused the United States and other Western allies of “dishonoring agreements” and “shifting goalposts” on commitments that were meant to sustain the multinational security mission in the troubled Caribbean nation.
According to him, Kenya has taken on enormous risks and responsibilities, but the expected international solidarity has been lukewarm at best.
“It is unacceptable for countries to demand global security yet turn their backs when it is time to honor pledges. Kenya cannot carry the Haiti burden alone,” Ruto stated.
Despite the frustrations, Ruto affirmed that Kenya will not abandon Haiti. He described Kenya’s mission as a moral duty anchored in Africa’s tradition of standing with oppressed peoples.
He likened the Haiti crisis to “a wound that festers when the world looks away,” arguing that inaction only emboldens violent gangs and prolongs human suffering.
At the same time, Ruto challenged the UN to strengthen its mechanisms for accountability, insisting that the promises made during high-level summits must not be reduced to mere rhetoric.
He warned that global peacekeeping risks collapsing into a hollow exercise if powerful nations continue to dodge their obligations.
The Kenya-led mission in Haiti has sparked both admiration and controversy. While international organizations have praised Nairobi’s boldness, critics at home have questioned why Kenya should spend scarce resources and risk lives in a distant crisis.
President William Ruto’s latest remarks, therefore, served not only as a rebuke to Western powers but also as reassurance to Kenyans that the mission is grounded on principle, not politics.
But even as the UNGA continues, it remains to be seen whether the U.S. and other nations will heed Ruto’s call.
What is clear, however, is that Kenya’s Head of State has positioned himself as both a defender of Haiti and a critic of global hypocrisy — a role that may redefine his standing on the international stage.
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