PICTURES: Outgoing US Ambassador Bids Ruto Farewell Following Resignation
On Tuesday, November 19, President Ruto waved farewell to Meg Whitman, the outgoing US ambassador to Kenya.
Ruto greeted Whitman and her delegation at State House in Nairobi. Pictures posted by the State House show Ruto speaking with Whitman, who is about to leave the country.
The meeting with the President is the first public interaction between the two since Meg Whitman announced her resignation as ambassador.
Whitman’s resignation came after Donald Trump was elected President of the United States in the recently finished elections.
On November 13, Whitman announced her resignation via an online message. The resignation comes just a week after Kenyans petitioned US President-elect Donald Trump to recall Whitman.
Kenya and the United States have enjoyed robust diplomatic relations for 60 years. These ties have been strengthened by our common and shared values of democracy, the rule of law and freedom.
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) November 19, 2024
In the past two years, our diplomatic ties have been elevated to the status of Major… pic.twitter.com/DNGFBVyRyq
Meg Whitman went on to say that her work as US ambassador was an “honour and privilege” and that her tenure helped the US improve its partnership with Kenya.
“From delivering emergency funding to alleviate catastrophic flooding in 2023 to the ongoing eradication of malaria, HIV, and MPOX, the US government prioritizes the health and welfare of our friends in Kenya,” read part of Whitman’s statement.
Whitman was nominated ambassador by outgoing US President Joe Biden and has been the head of the Kenyan mission since August 2022.
She had come under fire for her growing involvement in President Ruto’s administration, with many Kenyans questioning the degree of her authority over the country’s national issues.
On his X account, President Ruto thanked Whitman for her contributions to Kenya-US diplomatic relations.
He emphasized her involvement in Kenya’s transition to a significant non-NATO ally.
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“In the past two years, diplomatic ties between Kenya and the US have been elevated to the status of a major non-NATO ally, signifying a high point for the relations between our two countries and peoples,” Ruto stated.
“Bid farewell to outgoing US Ambassador Meg Whitman, State House, Nairobi. She has worked hard for the Kenya-United States partnership. For that, we are immensely grateful,” Ruto added.
Ruto also emphasized the long history of Kenya-US diplomatic relations, as well as the importance of shared ideas and principles regarding democracy and the rule of law.
“Kenya and the United States have enjoyed robust diplomatic relations for 60 years. These ties have been strengthened by our common and shared values of democracy, rule of law and freedom,” the President noted.
PICTURES: Outgoing US Ambassador Bids Ruto Farewell Following Resignation
