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Tag: Meg Whitman

  • Ruto bids farewell to outgoing US Ambassador Meg Whitman

    Ruto bids farewell to outgoing US Ambassador Meg Whitman

    President William Ruto has bid farewell to the outgoing United States Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman.

    Whitman, who has served since 2022, announced her resignation on November 13.

    “Today (November 13), I announced to my team at the U.S. Embassy that I submitted my resignation to President Biden. It has been an honour and privilege to serve the American people through strengthening our partnership with Kenya,” said Whitman in a statement on her resignation.

    During her tenure, Whitman maintained a strong working relationship with the Kenya Kwanza administration and played a key role in facilitating President Ruto’s state visit to the United States.

    Kenya also achieved the distinction of becoming the first Major Non-NATO Ally of the U.S. in sub-Saharan Africa, a designation that underscored the two nations’ shared democratic values and strengthened security collaboration.

    Further, Whitmam championed health programs, spearheaded emergency disaster relief efforts, and reduced visa appointment wait times at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi.

    Her departure comes ahead of an administrative transition following Donald Trump’s election victory.

    Chargé d’Affaires Marc Dillard will serve as acting ambassador until a successor is appointed.

  • Meg Whitman resigns as US Ambassador to Kenya

    Meg Whitman resigns as US Ambassador to Kenya

    US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman has announced her resignation marking the end of her tenure since her appointment in 2022.

    In a statement, the US envoy said she has submitted her resignation to President Joe Biden, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to strengthen the partnership between the United States and Kenya.

    “It has been an honor and privilege to serve the American people through strengthening our partnership with Kenya. I am proud of leading a people-centered agenda that saves lives, increases security, and creates economic opportunities for Kenyans and Americans,” she stated.

    Whitman highlighted some of her key achievements among them emergency funding for catastrophic flooding relief in 2023 and ongoing support in combating malaria, HIV, and MPOX.

    During her tenure, Kenya was elevated as the first Major Non-NATO Ally of the U.S. in sub-Saharan Africa, a move Whitman says reflects the countries’ commitment to shared democratic values and enhanced security.

    Her tenure also witnessed a historic state visit by President William Ruto to the United States.

    “My efforts also opened the door for more American companies to do business in Kenya. When I arrived in 2022, I focused on expanding these ties with my “Why Africa, Why Kenya?” presentation to American companies and entrepreneurs,” Whitman stated.

    “We also responded to the skyrocketing demand for our consular services, reducing wait times for non-immigrant visa appointments from more than two years to about two months, among other enhancements,” she added.

    With a change in U.S. leadership set for January following Donald Trump’s victory in the just concluded elections, Whitman extended well wishes to the incoming administration.

    “Like all U.S. ambassadors, I serve at the request of the President. The American people have spoken, and a new President will be inaugurated in January. I wish him and his new team success,” she said.

    Meanwhile, Chargé d’Affaires Marc Dillard takes charge pending the appointment of a new Ambassador.

  • US gov’t donates Ksh150M to support Kenya’s El Nino mitigation efforts

    US gov’t donates Ksh150M to support Kenya’s El Nino mitigation efforts

    Kenya has received Ksh150 million donation from the United States government to support flood response and mitigation efforts.

    Speaking during the flagging off ceremony, US Ambassador Meg Whitman said Ksh38 million will go directly to the Kenya Red Cross, which received additional food and non-food items from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

    According to the government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, 174 people have lost their lives due to the ongoing El Nino rains.

    Mwaura said six more Kenyans had lost their lives in the last 3 days as a result of the heavy rains and flooding in the country.

    The six include a mother and child in Ngurunga Village in Kiambu County, and 4 miners in Bukira North, Migori County.

    Mwaura noted that on Monday heavy rains pounded Kitui County damaging several roads and killing 56 goats. Additionally, 76 households comprising approximately 380 people were displaced.

    “We have set up an additional camp to accommodate the displaced. This now raises the total camps to 170 nationally, with 109, 179 households comprising about 545, 895 people displaced so far,” he said.

    The Governments Spokesperson warned that Tana River water levels had risen significantly from 3.4m to 4.8m over the weekend leading to spillage on the Madogo-Garissa Road.

    “Although the road remains passable, the increased water levels pose challenges and we advise motorists to be very vigilant and adhere to subsequent alerts,” said Mwaura.

    Meanwhile, two of the three damaged sections of the Garsen-Lamu road have been rock-filled by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) while the repair of the third section is ongoing.

    The Kenya Meteorological Department has predicted more rains in South Coast, especially in Kilifi County,

  • Foreign and Diaspora affairs CS defends US envoy

    Foreign and Diaspora affairs CS defends US envoy

    Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Dr. Alfred Mutua has defended the United States Ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman in the wake of her comments at the Biennial Devolution Conference.

    Taking to his Twitter account, the Cabinet Secretary emphasized that her candid remarks should not be met with undue criticism.

    “The Kenyan Government has extended a warm welcome to the forthright comments made by Ambassador Whitman during her address, acknowledging the commendable progress that Kenya has achieved in the past year.”  Said Mutua.

    The Cabinet Secretary emphasized that Kenya values its partnerships and welcomes constructive discourse adding that diplomatic corps and development partners should not feel daunted by unjustified threats or intimidation

    “While the truth may be uncomfortable for some, Ambassador Whitman’s words find resonance with Kenya’s comprehensive economic empowerment initiative, Kenya Kwanza.” Added the CS.

    Addressing concerns about diplomatic relations, the Cabinet Secretary clarified that any issues with diplomats or nations should be addressed through the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs insisting the power to recall an envoy rests solely with the Government of Kenya

    He says The Government of Kenya, remains steadfast in its commitment to collaboration with those who share the common goal of propelling Kenya forward.