When business mogul Meg Whitman announced her resignation as the U.S. Ambassador to Kenya on Wednesday, reactions ranged from praise to ridicule.
Known for her deft diplomacy, Whitman steered U.S.-Kenya relations amidst political tensions in Kenya.
Her resignation was submitted to President Joe Biden just days after Donald Trump’s victory in the recent U.S. election.
Whitman arrived in Kenya in August 2022, just days before Kenya’s general elections, embarking on an unpredictable tenure.
With a resilient approach, she quickly adapted, rising to prominence on the political stage earlier than expected.
Her foray into Kenyan politics, however, began with controversy.
At the Devolution Conference in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, on August 16, she expressed her view that the 2022 general election was the most credible in Kenya’s history.
“I arrived in Kenya days before the August 2022 General Election; what I witnessed was nothing short of remarkable. Kenya held, what many analysts and commentators say, was the free-est, fairest, and most credible election in Kenyan history,” Whitman said amid heated debates over the legitimacy of President William Ruto’s victory.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga responded harshly, calling Whitman “rogue” and advising her to stay out of Kenya’s internal affairs.
“Tell the rogue Ambassador Kenya is not the United States and it is not a colony of the United States; keep your mouth shut while here, otherwise, we will call for your recall back to your country,” Odinga warned.
As political tensions eased, Whitman developed a positive rapport with President Ruto and focused on strengthening U.S.-Kenya bilateral relations.
This cooperation facilitated two visits by Ruto to the U.S., marking the first visit by an African leader to the U.S. in 16 years.
Their discussions yielded significant commitments aimed at benefiting Kenya’s workforce, renewable energy, and digital connectivity sectors, along with various trade and investment opportunities.
Throughout her tenure, Whitman was lauded for emphasizing commercial diplomacy, advocating for U.S. businesses to invest in Kenya, contrasting with her predecessors’ focus on security and governance.
Whitman’s approach was bolstered by her extensive experience in technology and business.
Formerly the CEO of eBay from 1998 to 2008, she led the company to exponential growth.
She also served as CEO of Quibi, a mobile streaming platform, and held senior roles at companies like Hasbro and StrideRite.
A Princeton graduate with an MBA from Harvard, Whitman’s career includes notable stints with P&G, Disney, and Hasbro. Forbes currently estimates her net worth at $3 billion (Ksh.398 billion).
She briefly ventured into American politics, running for California governor in 2010, where she set records for campaign spending.
In July 2022, she was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the eighteenth U.S. Ambassador to Kenya and the second female to hold the role.
Following her resignation, Marc Dillard, who was serving as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, will temporarily replace Whitman until President-Elect Donald Trump appoints a successor.
