Kenya protests to UN over Haiti report

NAIROBI:

Kenya's Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi on Wednesday formally protested to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres over a recent UN report, accusing it of misrepresenting findings related to sexual abuse allegations involving Kenyan personnel deployed in Haiti.

Mudavadi said Kenya had undertaken thorough investigations into the allegations and shared the findings with relevant international and local authorities.

"Investigations conducted were impartial and shared with all relevant stakeholders, including UN human rights offices and Haitian authorities," he said.

He emphasized that Kenya's response to the allegations demonstrates its commitment to accountability. "These actions reaffirm Kenya's commitment to accountability and due process," Mudavadi added.

The allegations cited by the UN are based on a report dated Feb. 16, 2026, which was released publicly in early April, outlining findings on sexual abuse claims linked to Kenyan personnel involved in the Haiti mission.

The minister defended the conduct of Kenyan officers serving under the Multinational Security Support mission, saying there was no evidence of wrongdoing during their deployment.

"Throughout its deployment, the MSS strictly adhered to all operational frameworks, including the Concept of Operations and the Status of Forces Agreement. Notably, no reports have identified any misconduct," he said.

Mudavadi reiterated Kenya's continued support for efforts to stabilize Haiti, as the mission transitions to a new structure under international oversight.

He also called on global partners to maintain support for the Caribbean nation. "Kenya continues to believe that the international community has a responsibility to support Haiti in achieving lasting peace and security," he said. afp