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President William Ruto has bid farewell to Meg Whitman, the outgoing United States Ambassador to Kenya, following her resignation after Donald Trump’s election as the 47th President of the United States. Whitman, who served as U.S.
Ambassador to Kenya for two years, announced her resignation in a statement to the media on November 13, 2024, shortly after Trump’s election victory. She explained that her decision was part of the transition to a new administration in Washington. During her tenure, Whitman highlighted several key achievements.
She credited her role in facilitating President Ruto’s recent state visit to the U.S. as a major success, alongside strengthening bilateral relations between Kenya and the U.
S. She also made significant strides in visa processing, reducing wait times for Kenyan non-immigrant visa interviews from two years to just two months. Additionally, Whitman promoted tourism and helped secure investments from major U.
S. corporations such as Coca-Cola and Microsoft, a development she linked directly to Ruto’s visit to the U.S.
in May 2024. Whitman said, underscoring her contributions during her time as Ambassador. Despite these accomplishments, Whitman cautioned that corruption remains a significant obstacle to Kenya’s growth.
she remarked. Whitman’s departure came amid criticism from some Kenyans, who had called for her recall. The criticism was particularly focused on her handling of sensitive issues such as corruption, extrajudicial killings, and abductions, which gained prominence following the June Gen Z movement protests, where police killed dozens and arrested many others.
However, Whitman clarified that her resignation was not influenced by public backlash but was a routine part of the transition process following a U.S. presidential election.
she said. Whitman emphasized that her decision was about ensuring a smooth transfer of power, noting that she has been in politics long enough to understand the importance of this tradition. she added.
Now, Whitman plans to focus on her family’s transition back to the U.S. and support her husband in his career.
she concluded. Some photos of President Ruto bidding farewell to Amb.Whitman;.
