Ndegwa Njiru slams Ruto over Haiti mission uncertainty
Outspoken advocate and human rights activist Ndegwa Njiru has scoffed at President William Ruto following reports that the United States is reconsidering Kenya’s role in leading the multinational security mission in Haiti.
In a statement on his X account on Sunday, August 24, 2025, he called out what he termed Ruto’s misplaced priorities, pursuing global recognition while neglecting the country’s most urgent domestic crises.
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“Pres. Ruto, I’ve told you many times before that before you preach in Judea, begin in Jerusalem,” Njiru wrote.
The Kenyan-led initiative, once hailed by Ruto as a demonstration of Kenya’s global leadership, now faces uncertainty as both logistical hurdles and human rights concerns pile up.
Njiru argues that the mission was rushed and lacked a clear domestic consensus, underscoring what he sees as the president’s failure to address issues closer to home.
“Before polishing western boots, clean your own muddy doorstep,” Njiru warned.
Njiru was particularly incensed by the contrast between the government’s foreign engagements and the insecurity that continues to plague parts of the country, especially the North Rift region, where banditry remains rampant.
“Before shaking hands in Washington, hold the hands of your suffering citizens in your bandit-infested North Rift backyard,” the statement read.
The Haiti deployment has been controversial from the start. Human rights groups raised questions about the preparedness of Kenyan forces, the legality of the mission, and its benefit to Kenyan citizens. With the US now said to be pushing for a different leadership structure, critics say Ruto’s foreign policy gamble may be backfiring.
“A president who hunts Western favours while his people starve is no leader, just a salesman. If indeed the Haiti mission was born out of the spirit of a Good Samaritan, let the works of charity begin at home,” Njiru declared.
“Before winning favour abroad, win trust at home. Foreign applause does not fill Kenyan stomachs; rather, your own.”
US leads Haiti mission
The United States has given its strongest indication yet that it intends for a new international force to take over from the Kenyan-led multinational security support mission in Haiti.
This follows a phone call between President Ruto and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, where Kenya lobbied for the adoption of proposals made by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres for the UN to provide logistical support to the mission.
Kenya may be providing the bulk of manpower for the multinational security support (MSS) mission in Haiti, but the United States is providing the financial muscle.
Since the first deployment of Kenyan police a year ago to secure critical infrastructure, the UN has warned that Haiti is in the grip of a humanitarian crisis, with the capital, Port-au-Prince, on the brink of complete gang takeover.
The MSS mission has been severely undermined by a shortfall in personnel, intelligence, equipment and security infrastructure.
In a move to address these challenges, the UN Secretary-General recommended the establishment of a UN support office for the MSS, following an advisory against a UN peacekeeping mission.
The US has, in the meantime, urged the Organisation of American States, which it heavily funds, to take on a leading role and for the region to step up its security and stabilisation efforts.
“The US thanks Kenya for its dedication for the last year. We must ensure that an even greater share of the international community is invested in the fight. We will also seek robust regional participation to provide strategic leadership of the force. We note the next international force must be adequately resourced,” the US deputy chief of mission to the OAS, Kimberly Penland, said.
