For the second time in less than a month, United States President Joe Biden bypassed opposition from Republicans to fund Kenya’s mission to Haiti.
On Tuesday, June 18, Biden through Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed that Kenya would receive Ksh14 billion for its mission in Haiti despite Republican lawmakers blocking the release of funds.
Biden’s move to override the opposition was termed a “nuclear option” as the President uses his executive powers to bypass Congress.
Notably, on May 23, Biden similarly used the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) to disburse Ksh8 billion for Kenyan police officers in preparation for the Haiti mission.
Initially, Kenya police officers had been expected to land in Haiti on May 23, but this was postponed due to a lack of resources.
A Kenyan assessment team that had travelled to Haiti in May stated that the Carribean security forces did not have enough infrastructure to help the Kenyan police fight gangs that have taken 80 per cent of the Island.
In particular, the assessment team noted that Kenyan troops would need armoured vehicles, radio and communications equipment as well as helicopters to evacuate casualties.
The Ksh14 billion will be used to solve some of the immediate concerns as well as show other countries that the US is willing to support foreign troops in Haiti.
“By moving forward with the obligation of resources, the Secretary is also indicating to other countries the sincerity and seriousness of our commitment, in part to incentivise others to increase their own contributions to the mission,” a US official was quoted as saying.
In total, the US intends to pump Ksh38 billion to the multinational mission in Haiti.
The European Union and Canada have also pledged monetary support to the Kenya-led mission.
Other countries that have shown willingness to deploy their troops to Haiti include Benin, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Guyana, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh and Chad.
