US Ambassador Breaks Silence After Recall Calls From Kenyans As Trump-Era Starts
Meg Whitman, the US Ambassador to Kenya, has broken her silence in the face of mounting criticism from Kenyans, many of whom called for her recall following Donald Trump’s election victory on Wednesday.
The Ambassador has faced criticism for her silence on major issues affecting Kenyans, such as corruption and an increase in abduction cases.
Particularly, following 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 expressed concern about the US’s growing influence in Kenyan affairs, with some pointing fingers at Whitman.
Whitman revealed in an official statement on Thursday evening that she, like all other US Ambassadors, serves under the president’s mandate.
She affirmed that, despite the change in power, she will continue to promote Kenya-US cooperation.
U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman responds to calls for her resignation, stating that she serves at the President's request and that a new U.S. President will be inaugurated in January. pic.twitter.com/gTM2aPX2ok
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) November 7, 2024
“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 confidence that Kenya-US relations have matured over the past 60 years and will continue despite the US leadership transition.
“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,” the statement further read.
“Our relations have never been stronger and I am confident this trajectory will continue.”
A section of Kenyans criticized the Ambassador’s leadership style, with some hoping that new leadership in the United States would result in her removal.
Don't stop!
— Eric (@amerix) November 7, 2024
Call for the immediate resignation of Meg Whitman.
She is a nuisance in our country.
She undermines our sovereignty.
She meddles in our nation and she runs Africa's most corrupt American Consulate.
She should go!#ResignMegWhitman pic.twitter.com/DJUpylvJoC
Many Kenyans were dissatisfied with Whitman’s perceived silence on corruption and abductions, believing she had failed to hold the government accountable.
Following Trump’s victory, the hashtag #ResignMegWhitman trended on X, as Kenyans expressed concern about Whitman’s potential recall next year under the new Trump administration.
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“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,” activist Gitobu Imanyara stated in a statement on X.
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…
— Gitobu Imanyara (@GitobuImanyara) November 6, 2024
“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.”
Cases of insecurity and abduction in the country have drawn the attention of Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who spoke with President Ruto on the phone on Thursday.
.@SecBlinken spoke with @WilliamsRuto last night. Details in the link below⬇️https://t.co/Ymny3xs7xI
— U.S. Embassy Nairobi (@USEmbassyKenya) November 8, 2024
Blinken challenged Ruto to ensure full accountability for security forces allegedly involved in protest violence and ongoing abductions.
US Ambassador Breaks Silence After Recall Calls From Kenyans As Trump-Era Starts
