- Meg Whitman, the US envoy to Kenya, has resigned with one year left in her term.
- Whitman became the second female American ambassador to Kenya.
- Despite her accomplishments in economic diplomacy, Ambassador Whitman faced sustained criticism of her stance on sensitive issues such as corruption, police brutality, and extrajudicial killings.
Meg Whitman, the US envoy to Kenya, has tendered her resignation with one year left in her term amid criticisms over her handling of human rights issues in the country. This resignation comes a week after Donald Trump returned to the White House and also comes on the back of sustained calls from angry Kenyans for her ouster. In a statement to newsrooms, Whitman indicated that she had already submitted her resignation to President Joe Biden.
“Today, I announced to my team at the US embassy that I submitted my resignation to President Biden,” the statement read in part. “It has been an honor and privilege to serve the American people through strengthening our partnership with Kenya.”
She also expressed confidence that Kenya’s relationship with the US will continue under the new administration.
“I have no doubt that our 60 years of partnership will continue to strengthen and serve Americans and Kenyans as we aim to build more prosperous, healthy, secure, and democratic nations,” she said in her resignation statement.
Meg Whitman was Big on Economic Diplomacy
Appointed in 2022 by the outgoing US President, Whitman became the second female American ambassador to Kenya. She had replaced Kyle McCarter, appointed during Donald Trump’s first term but quit in 2021 following Joe Biden’s win against Trump.
Both Whitman and McCarter were political appointees, as opposed to being mainstream diplomats. By November 2024, Whitman still had about a year to go on her tenure, considering the American practice of sending envoys to stations for three years, with rare exceptions of extensions.
Whitman focused heavily on economic diplomacy, marketing Kenya as an attractive destination for investment. While the US ambassador to Kenya, she was crucial in fostering commercial ties through projects like “Why Africa, Why Kenya.”
She has also been integral to developing technology in Kenya, using her experience in Silicon Valley to grow the Silicon Savannah.
As a former CEO of top tech companies like HP and eBay, she used her American Chamber of Commerce connections to pitch Kenya to American businesspeople. Some have succeeded, while others still look hopeful.
While announcing her resignation, Whitman highlighted her achievements in the ambassadorial position, citing the various trade, health, and security deals between Kenya and the US, including elevating Kenya to its first major non-NATO ally in sub-Saharan Africa.
“I am proud of leading a people-centred agenda that saves lives, increases security, and creates economic opportunities for Kenyans and Americans. From delivering emergency funding to alleviate catastrophic flooding in 2023 to the ongoing fight against malaria, HIV, and MPOX, the U.S government prioritizes the health and welfare of our friends in Kenya,” Whitman said.
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Mounting Pressure
Despite her accomplishments in economic diplomacy, Ambassador Whitman faced sustained criticism of her stance on sensitive issues such as corruption, police brutality, and extrajudicial killings.
Pressure mounted as people questioned Meg Whitman’s standing as she remained silent during the Kenyan GenZ anti-government protests in June and July this year, which left dozens dead and many others still unaccounted for. Western diplomatic missions took about ten days to condemn the violence.
The last few months have also been characterized by enforced disappearances and abductions on which Whitman never raised the alarm.
The pressure intensified following Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, with some on social media calling for Whitman’s immediate recall.
Whitman’s cautious approach to Kenya’s internal political affairs differed from that of some previous ambassadors, notably Smith Hemstone, who took a keen interest in human rights and democracy in Kenya.
On Thursday, Whitman, a former tech CEO and billionaire, broke her silence, stating, “Like all US ambassadors, I serve at the President’s request.”
