Resigned United States Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman has bid her farewell to President William Ruto.
Whitman, accompanied by other officials from the embassy, met with President Ruto at State House Nairobi where she submitted her exit report and made her valediction statement.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi who doubles up as Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary was present at State House during the meeting.
In a statement on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, President William Ruto noted that Meg Whitman had worked hard to elevate the ties between Kenya and the United States of America.
The head of state cited the historic elevation of the country to join major non-NATO allies, as among the significant achievements under Meg Whitman’s tenure.
Ruto maintained that Kenya remains grateful for what she had achieved in her stint in the country.
“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,” Ruto’s statement read in part.
“In the past two years, our diplomatic ties have been elevated to the status of Major non-NATO ally, signifying a high point for the relations between our two countries and peoples.”
“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,” it added.
Resignation
Meg Whitman submitted her resignation letter to outgoing US President Joe Biden following Donald Trump’s triumph in the just concluded elections.
In her resignation letter, Whitman said she was proud of leading a people-centred agenda that saved lives, increased security, and created economic opportunities for Kenyans and Americans.
“This year, the United States elevated Kenya as its first Major Non-NATO ally in sub-Saharan Africa, reflecting the importance our countries place on standing shoulder to shoulder to protect our shared democratic values and enhance security,” she stated.
She said her efforts have opened the door for more American companies to do business in Kenya and this has created more trade, jobs and US investments in Kenya.
“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. Our relations are stronger than ever, and I am confident this trajectory will continue,” she added.
Before tendering her resignation, a section of Kenyans online had called for her ouster following Trump’s win.
