By Draxon Maloya
Meg Whitman, the U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, has resigned from her role, effective immediately.
This news comes just days after Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election. Whitman had been serving as the U.S. envoy to Kenya since 2022 and had been known for her unique, CEO-like approach to diplomacy.
“During her tenure, Whitman focused on strengthening U.S.-Kenya relations, particularly in areas such as trade, security, and healthcare collaboration. She played a significant role in facilitating a historic rise in American investment and trade with Kenya and helped secure Kenya’s designation as the first major non-NATO ally in Sub-Saharan Africa,” reads one of the government Facebook pages in Kenya.
However, Whitman’s resignation follows growing discontent from Kenyans, who criticized her silence on human rights issues during President William Ruto’s administration.
“We felt she was too close to Ruto’s government, particularly during periods of violent crackdowns and disappearances of dissenters,” writes Frank Omoyi on his Facebook page.
As Whitman steps down, Charge d’Affaires Marc Dillard will temporarily lead the U.S. Embassy until new leadership is appointed under the incoming administration..
- Can Atupele Muluzi Lead Malawi to Economic Growth?
- Vitumbiko Mumba and the Malawi Congress Party: When the Blind Lead the Sighted
- Kamphangala advises Chakwera to tread carefully with Songwe Border
- Malawi robotics challenge showcases youth innovation in disaster relief
- new dawn for the Papacy: The case for a Sub-Saharan African Pope
