United States Ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, has stepped down from her position.
In her announcement, she disclosed that she had presented her resignation letter to President Joe Biden.
Whitman characterized her tenure as the US ambassador as an “honour and privilege,” noting that during her time in office, the United States successfully enhanced its partnership with Kenya.
“Today, I announced to my team at the U.S. embassy that I submitted my resignation to President Biden. It has been an honour and privilege to serve the American people through strengthening our partnership with Kenya,” the statement read in part.
She added, “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 US government prioritizes the health and welfare of our friends in Kenya.”
Whitman was appointed as the United States Ambassador to Kenya by President Joe Biden in December 2021.
She received Senate confirmation in July 2022 and officially took office in August of that year.
Whitman, a former tech executive and billionaire, was an unconventional choice for this diplomatic role.
In discussions about her appointment, she noted that President Biden recognized Kenya as one of the most important countries in Africa, particularly due to its leadership in technology.
Her extensive background in the tech industry was viewed as an asset for fostering relations with Kenya, especially given the country’s prominence in areas such as mobile money and startups.
Throughout her tenure, Whitman focused on several key initiatives aimed at strengthening the US-Kenya partnership.
She emphasized promoting economic development, particularly for small and medium enterprises, and advancing shared goals related to prosperity, security, and democratic values.
However, her time as ambassador was not without controversy.
Whitman faced criticism from some Kenyans and political leaders who accused her of overstepping diplomatic boundaries and interfering in Kenya’s domestic affairs.
