The Diaspora Times

Opinion Editorial

By Arch. Dr. D.K. Gitau
Publisher, The Diaspora Times

As Kenya’s troops stand on perilous ground in the crumbling streets of Port-au-Prince, the time has come for bold reflection: What are we doing in Haiti? More importantly, at what cost—human, political, and moral—are we willing to sustain this increasingly indefensible mission?

Let us be clear: Haiti is a nation in free fall. The very idea of statehood is collapsing before the eyes of the world. Armed gangs now control police stations, government ministries, ports, and entire neighborhoods. The streets are ruled not by law, but by the barrel of a gun. And into this inferno, Kenya has thrust its sons and daughters.

To date, there have been no officially confirmed deaths among our brave troops. But does it take body bags to recognize a failing mission? Must we wait for flag-draped coffins before we speak truth to power?

The Mirage of Peacekeeping

When the Government of Kenya agreed to spearhead the UN-backed Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, it was framed as a noble gesture: an African nation stepping forward to aid a fellow black republic in crisis. On paper, it was commendable. In reality, it has become a geopolitical experiment dangerously divorced from facts on the ground.

It is no secret that President William Ruto personally lobbied President Joe Biden to secure Kenya’s lead role in this mission, a move many observers now view with suspicion. While sold to the public as a diplomatic breakthrough, there are increasing whispers—both locally and internationally—that financial incentives and promises of future political support may have shaped this decision more than genuine humanitarian concern.

Haiti is not a post-conflict zone in need of stabilization. It is an active war zone—a failed state where the lines between criminality, politics, and survival are hopelessly blurred. Our soldiers are not peacekeepers; they are being drawn into asymmetric urban warfare for which no conventional force can adequately prepare.

The Erosion of Legitimacy

To make matters worse, the imminent expiration of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti’s mandate risks leaving our troops in legal and diplomatic limbo. Without a renewed international framework, Kenya’s deployment could be viewed—both at home and abroad—as an unauthorized occupation. The political implications of this cannot be overstated.

Are we prepared to explain to the world—and to ourselves—why Kenyan lives are being risked in a conflict that the global community itself has hesitated to fully engage?

The question must also be asked: Was this mission ever truly about peace—or was it about positioning Kenya as a “safe pair of hands” in the eyes of Western powers in exchange for economic and diplomatic favors? If so, then the blood of our soldiers is being spilled for the political ambitions of the few.

The Cost of Silence

The Kenyan government’s silence on this mission is both deafening and dangerous. Our soldiers are in harm’s way, yet there is no transparent communication, no public accountability, and—most worryingly—no articulated strategy for what success looks like or how and when we intend to withdraw.

It is not enough to speak of regional solidarity or diplomatic prestige while Kenyan boots walk streets soaked in fear. A mission without clarity is a mission bound for catastrophe.

The Moral Imperative

We, the people of Kenya—both at home and in the diaspora—must raise our voices. We owe it to the young men and women wearing our flag on their uniforms. We owe it to their families who wait in anxiety. And we owe it to our collective conscience not to become complicit in a foreign policy misstep that could stain our nation’s name and sacrifice lives in vain.

Kenya must demand a full reassessment of its role in Haiti. We must engage in honest diplomacy, press for a renewed international mandate, or chart a swift and dignified withdrawal. To remain silent is to invite tragedy.

Let the government be reminded: leadership is not measured by reckless boldness but by the wisdom to know when to change course.

Arch. Dr. D.K. Gitau is the Founder and Publisher of The Diaspora Times, a columnist, and an advocate for civic accountability, ethical leadership, and diaspora engagement in global governance.