Kalonzo: I am happy US froze funds for Kenya-led Haiti mission

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka on Thursday said he was happy the United States froze its financial contributions to the United Nations for the Kenya-led multinational security support mission in Haiti.

The move, which stops $13.3 million in pending aid, was announced by U.N. Secretary-General's Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric on Tuesday.

The U.S. had committed $15 million to the U.N. Trust Fund for Haiti; $1.7 million of which had already been spent and $13.3 million was frozen by President Donald Trump’s administration.

In a joint interview with Citizen Digital sister outlets Vuuka FM, Sulwe FM and Mulembe FM, Musyoka said he “never believed” in the Haiti mission and was elated that Trump’s government was withdrawing support.

“I applaud Trump for his decision. We have never believed in that Haiti mission; there was a court order restricting it so this is another deal to the Ruto administration. I was happy with the news,” he said, referring to the January 2023 High Court decision which termed the deployment unconstitutional.

Kenya has to date deployed over 600 troops and President William Ruto has pledged to deploy 1,000 police officers to the mission approved by the U.N. Security Council in October 2023 to support Haiti's authorities in fighting criminal gangs in the Caribbean country.

The funding freeze is part of newly elected President Donald Trump's push to slash Washington’s overseas aid, including closing operations of the government's main aid agency, USAID.

In addition to the $15 million transfer to the fund, the U.S. had contributed over $300 million in funds and equipment directly to the MSS, including dozens of armoured vehicles.

But while U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last month warned Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince could become overrun by gangs if the international community does not step up aid to the mission, Kenya’s government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura on Wednesday said despite the U.S. funds freeze, the fund remained “well-resourced” to support the mission through September.

In Thursday's wide-ranging interview, Musyoka also said they were gathering evidence that could see President Ruto and officials in his government prosecuted at the International Criminal Court (ICC) over recent cases of abduction and extrajudicial killings in the country.

He said the incidents, which have persisted since last year’s anti-government protests when Kenyan police were heavily criticised over excessive use of force on protesters, could amount to crimes against humanity.

“Abductions and extrajudicial killings are crimes against humanity. Civil rights groups are probing the matter and we are gathering evidence,” said Musyoka.

“Ruto and his government cannot be left to probe the matter because they are suspects.”

Musyoka threatened to revive the ICC’s investigation into Kenya’s 2007–2008 post-election violence, in which Ruto was a suspect before his charges were dropped in 2016 over insufficient evidence to continue the case.

“Those cases were not cleared; it is just that some of the evidence was not enough. Those things are still there and we can revive the matter. We have spoken to lawyer Paul Mwangi who has the files,” he said, adding that he and DAP Kenya party leader Eugene Wamalwa have considered visiting the Netherlands over the matter.

“Eugene and I have even considered travelling to The Hague to ask that the matter be revived. It is not about victimising someone but respect for the rule of law,” Musyoka said.

On the health of the opposition Azimio La Umoja coalition, whose leader Raila Odinga last year joined hands with Ruto’s government to support his African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship bid, Musyoka said they are still strong and determined to dethrone Ruto in the 2027 polls.

“We are the opposition and are preparing to take over the leadership of this country. For now, my colleagues Wamalwa, (Jeremiah Kioni) and (Ferdinand Waititu) are a team. A union of opposition leaders,” he said.

Asked who the de facto opposition leader is now, Musyoka told reporters: “It is a ‘First among equals’ concept, I don’t mean to say I am better than everyone else but someone has to take charge and steer the team.”

“We are calling ourselves the loyal opposition because Azimio is weak now,” he said.

The Wiper leader said they wish Odinga well in his bid, terming his win “a joy to Kenyans”.

He, however, held that 80-year-old Odinga, who has unsuccessfully contested for Kenya’s presidency five times, should retire if his AUC bid fails and give way for leaders like him who seek to take a stab at the country’s top seat.

“Retirement is not losing dignity because, after all, we need statesmen like retired president Uhuru Kenyatta. But ultimately, it is Raila’s decision,” he said.

Musyoka previously insisted he would be on the 2012, 2017 and 2022 presidential ballots before eventually shelving his bids to throw his weight behind Odinga.

On Thursday, the 71-year-old said, “What is important is that Kalonzo will be on the ballot, come what may.”