US Politicians Demand Clarity on Foreign Funding for Kenya’s Haiti Peace Mission
GOP lawmakers critical of President Joe Biden’s agenda are expressing reservations about the commitment of a foreign nation to finance Haiti’s peace restoration mission. They are demanding additional information before approving the operation.
As per information provided by McClatchy, an American publication, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Michael McCaul and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee James Risch have prevented the disbursement of the funds due to concerns regarding the overall structure of the deal.
“The administration has yet to deliver on specific commitments it promised to Congress as part of the review process,” stated a Spokesperson from McCaul’s office.
As per the statements from political figures, the US government has allocated Ksh2.7 billion (USD17 million) for the operation. Nonetheless, the executive branch is seeking additional funds to bolster the mission, and although Republican politicians are open to providing the remaining Ksh8 billion (USD50 million) requested, they have asked for additional documentation before releasing the complete amount.
Lawmakers also expressed worry about the potential actions to be taken if Kenya did not proceed with the peacekeeping mission.
Meanwhile, Mario Diaz-Balart, the Republican Representative from Florida, expressed significant concern about the recent court decision that prohibited Kenya’s mission.
ALSO READ:
- Raila Ally Breaks Silence After Ruto-Uhuru Meeting
- Gachagua Close Ally Karungo Wa Thang’wa Accepts Ruto’s CBS Award
- Gov’t to Release Ksh.32 Billion to Counties Next Week – DP Kindiki
- High Court Strikes Down Ruto-Raila 2023 IEBC Amendment Bill
- Kenya Water Towers Agency Dissolved: Government Moves to Streamline State Corporations
“There needs to be more information, along with further explanation to how much of a cost burden the Joe Biden administration wants to assume,” Diaz-Balart told the publication.
The United States, along with several other nations, has committed to backing the multinational mission. The United Nations was prepared to allocate funds to contribute to this objective.
Last year, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki disclosed that the entire endeavor was projected to incur a cost of Ksh90.9 billion.
“We have agreed on several things that the resources for this mission will be done by the member states of this mission,” Kindiki remarked.
The High Court intervened and put a stop to the mission, deeming it unconstitutional. Nevertheless, President William Ruto remains steadfast in his determination to proceed with the mission, despite the court’s decision.
Haiti and Kenya are collaborating on a bilateral agreement to establish a framework for dispatching 1,000 police officers to the Caribbean nation. The people of Haiti are optimistic that the deployment will begin soon, enabling the police force to address the issue of gangs causing distress among residents and instigating violence.
US Politicians Demand Clarity on Foreign Funding for Kenya’s Haiti Peace Mission
