It’s now official that tech-industry mogul Meg Whitman will be heading to Kenya as US ambassador.
On Thursday, July 15, 2022, the US Senate confirmed Whitman for the role months after President Joe Biden nominated her to replace Kyle McCarter, who served as US ambassador to Kenya between 2019 to 2021.
She is expected to report to Nairobi during the transition period as President Uhuru Kenyatta prepares to hand over power to the next regime.
Who is Meg Whitman?
Estimated to be worth over $5 billion (Ksh500 billion), Whitman is a high-profile longtime technology industry executive and former Republican candidate for governor of California.
She has made a mark in America’s tech industry having served as President and CEO of various companies including Hewlett Packard Enterprise, the Hewlett Packard Company, eBay, and FTD.
While announcing her appointment in December last year, the White House described her as a lady who boasts several honours in both politics and business.
“Meg has been inducted into the Bay Area Business Hall of Fame and the U.S. Business Hall of Fame,” the White House said in a statement.
She takes over from Eric Kneedler, who has been holding the position in an interim capacity since January 20, 2021.
