Former US ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, has spoken out to defend her work at her previous job and restated her commitment to strengthening Kenya-US relations. Speculations have arisen that her resignation came about due the accusations of her ‘interference’ in Kenyan affairs.
In a recent interview, Meg Whitman explained that her unexpected exit as US envoy was due to the recent change in administration at the White House. The billionaire business executive said her departure was inevitable after Trump won the US elections.
“Well, when new presidents and new administrations come in, it’s customary that ambassadors submit their letters of resignation. I decided to do it now because we have three young grandchildren,” she said.
The 68-year-old noted that she would subsequently need enough time to relocate and settle her family back on American soil.
“My husband has a job in the US and we need to get back and get settled. The embassy is in very good hands with Charge d ’Affairs Marc Dillard.”
She denied claims that she left her position in Kenya because of criticism and slander, saying instead that her decision was a noble way to make room for the new administration.
“I’ve been in politics for a long time so I know how this works. This is much more about peace transfer of power, a new administration and whole set of new ambassadors,” Whitman explained.
During her two-year tenure, Whitman stated that she introduced several important reforms in the relationship between the two nations. She took note of reducing visa waiting times and boosting tourism as some of her achievements.
“My number one priority was visas. Every Kenyan was saying it was taking two years to get an interview for a visa; that is down to two months which is fantastic for a non-immigrant visa,” she noted.
Why we deny most people US visas at Nairobi Embassy – Ambassador Meg Whitman
Whitman mentioned the state visit to the US by Kenya in May 2024, which helped bring American companies like Coca-Cola and Microsoft to the country. She further acknowledged Kenya’s development is being held back by the toxic culture of public funds mismanagement.
“I’ve been speaking a lot about corruption in the last four or five months…Kenya has an incredible opportunity to truly be an economic powerhouse on the continent, to really be the Singapore of Africa,” she asserted.
Meg Whitman was appointed as the US ambassador to Kenya just months before the August 2022 General Elections. She quickly gained prominence among political leaders, but things took a negative turn after she stated at a Devolution Conference in Uasin Gishu that the 2022 election was the most credible in Kenya’s history.
When political tensions eased, she and President Ruto worked hand in hand to strengthen US-Kenya bilateral ties.
