Kenya Denies UN Report Alleging Rape by its Personnel in Haiti
Last update: April 9, 2026
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Government says claims were investigated and found unsubstantiated as UN maintains cases are under review.
Kenya has lodged a formal protest against a United Nations report alleging that its personnel serving in a Security Council authorised mission in Haiti were involved in sexual abuse.
In a letter to UN chief António Guterres, Kenya’s Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi raised concern over the allegations, which were first reported last August.
A report by the secretary general released last week links officers under the Kenyan led mission to four cases of rape and other forms of sexual violence. Three of the alleged victims are children, including a 12 year old and two 16 year olds.
Mudavadi said the claims were promptly investigated through an inquiry and were found to be unsubstantiated.
“No formal complaints were filed with any authority, and findings were shared transparently with both Haitian and UN bodies,” he said.
The minister added that personnel in the Multinational Security Support Mission strictly adhered to all rules and that no reports had identified any misconduct.
However, a table in the UN report listing the four allegations indicates that each case was communicated to the MSS force commander.
The report states that the allegations were substantiated by investigations conducted by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
According to the UN, the allegations remain under review.
“Sexual exploitation and abuse represent a fundamental betrayal of the trust placed in the United Nations and its partners by the communities it serves,” the report says.
CBI News reports that the Kenya led mission was deployed to Haiti in 2024 to help combat gang violence following authorization by the UN Security Council.
The force, which was expected to include up to 2,500 personnel, fell far short of that target and struggled with operational and funding challenges, limiting its ability to curb the violence.
Mudavadi said Kenya’s deployment through the MSS demonstrated the country’s commitment despite operational difficulties and domestic opposition.
The MSS has since been replaced by a larger international force known as the Gang Suppression Force, with the Kenya led mission now being phased out.
