New US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman has finally landed in the country.
Whitman arrived in Nairobi on Monday, August 2022, and was received by outgoing Chargé d’Affaires Eric Kneedler.
“Welcome to Kenya Ambassador Whitman!” the US Embassy in Nairobi said in a social media post that was accompanied by a photo of Kneedler welcoming the new ambassador.
Welcome to Kenya Ambassador Whitman! 🇺🇸🇰🇪 pic.twitter.com/uPUxrSERPX
— U.S. Embassy Nairobi (@USEmbassyKenya) August 1, 2022
Whitman’s arrival comes two weeks after the US Senate approved her appointment by President Joe Biden.
President Biden nominated Whitman to replace Kyle McCarter, who served as US ambassador to Kenya between 2019 to 2021.
Whitman’s arrival coincides with the country’s general election slated for next week when President Uhuru Kenyatta’s tenure is expected to hand over power to the next regime.
The August 9 polls pit Deputy President William Ruto of the Kenya Kwanza alliance against long-serving opposition leader Raila Odinga of the Azimio One Kenya coalition, who has the backing of the outgoing Head of State.
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.
