During a meeting on Thursday in New York, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised President William Ruto for Kenya’s leadership in the **Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS)** in Haiti, noting that it has garnered international attention and respect. Blinken mentioned his recent visit to Haiti, where he witnessed Kenya’s impactful presence on the ground.
Despite the regional challenges in Africa, Blinken emphasized Kenya’s essential leadership role and expressed a desire to continue discussions on collaboration, particularly in supporting Kenya’s economic programs and growth.
In response, President Ruto expressed gratitude for the longstanding friendship between Kenya and the United States. He highlighted the progress made in various agreements, including those related to the **CHIPS Act**, Microsoft, and strategic trade and investment negotiations.
Ruto, who also visited Haiti recently, conveyed optimism regarding the improvements made on the ground, including enhanced security at the airport, hospitals, police academy, and port. However, he noted that significant gaps remain in personnel and logistics, stressing the need for additional resources.
He appreciated U.S. support in terms of equipment and efforts in the region, particularly in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and looked forward to further discussions on how their partnership can help address these challenges.
