Africa-Press – Kenya. US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman has broken her silence after mounting criticism from a section of Kenyans, many of whom called for her recall following Donald Trump’s election victory on Wednesday.
The Ambassador has faced criticism over her silence on major issues affecting Kenyans like corruption, and the surge in abduction cases particularly after the June Gen Z movement protests, during which dozens were killed by police and many more were arrested.
At the height of the Gen Z protests in July, Kenyans complained of the growing influence of the US in Kenyan affairs, with some pointing fingers at Whitman.
In an official statement on Thursday evening, Whitman revealed that she serves at the mandate of the president like all other US Ambassadors. She affirmed that despite the change in power, she will continue fostering the shared goals between Kenya and the US.
“Like all US ambassadors, I serve at the request of the President. The American people have spoken, and a new president will be inaugurated in January,” she noted.
“Meanwhile, my team and I continue to work on advancing our nations’ shared goals of increased prosperity, security, and respect for democratic values,” Whitman reiterated in the statement.
Whitman expressed her confidence that the relationship between Kenya and the US has matured over 60 years and will continue despite the leadership transition in the US.
“The relationship between the United States and Kenya has matured over the past 60 years and has enjoyed the support of a wide spectrum of political leaders in both Washington and Nairobi. Our relations have never been stronger and I am confident this trajectory will continue,” the statement further read.
A section of Kenyans called out the Ambassador’s way of leadership, some hoping that the new leadership in the US would lead to her being removed.
Whitman’s perceived silence on corruption and abductions led to dissatisfaction among many Kenyans, who felt she had not held the government accountable for its actions.
After Trump’s win, the hashtag #ResignMegWhitman trended on X as Kenyans expressed their anticipation of Whitman’s likely recall next year under the new Trump administration.
“If President Donald Trump’s return to the White House brings an end to Meg Whitman’s ambassadorial tenure in Nairobi, then we as Kenyans have something to celebrate. As recently as last week, Ambassador Whitman refused to sign a statement by Western envoys condemning the abductions, disappearances, and unlawful killings of young Kenyans exercising the elementary fundamental right to peaceful protests,” activist Gitobu Imanyara stated in a statement on X.
Cases of insecurity and abduction in the country have attracted the attention of Secretary of State Antony Blinken who spoke to President Ruto on the phone on Thursday, challenging Ruto to foster full accountability for security forces reportedly involved in protest violence and the ongoing abductions.
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