In a poignant farewell, President William Ruto has officially expressed his gratitude to the outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, who recently tendered her resignation to President Joe Biden.
The heartfelt farewell took place during a ceremony at State House in Nairobi, where Ruto took a moment to highlight Whitman’s significant contributions toward fostering the relationship between Kenya and the United States over the past two years.In a post shared on X, Ruto acknowledged Whitman’s hard work in strengthening the Kenya-U.S. partnership.
“I bid farewell to Ambassador Meg Whitman at State House, Nairobi. She has dedicated herself to enhancing our bilateral ties, and for that, we are deeply thankful,”
Ruto also reiterated the robust and enduring alliance between the two nations, a bond that has been developing for over sixty years.
Our diplomatic relationship with the United States has flourished for six decades, grounded in our mutual respect for values such as democracy, rule of law, and freedom,”
Ruto
He further emphasized the advancement of diplomatic relations, mentioning that in the last two years, Kenya’s status has been elevated to that of a Major Non-NATO Ally—a landmark achievement in the relationship between the two countries and their peoples.In an unexpected announcement on Sunday, Whitman shed light on the reasons behind her resignation. She noted that it was spurred by the impending shift in leadership at the White House, following Donald Trump’s recent electoral success. Initially, she had mentioned a desire to provide ample time for her family to settle back in the U.S.
“With new presidents and administrations, it’s a standard procedure for ambassadors to submit their resignation letters. I decided to do it now because we have three young grandchildren.My husband has a job waiting for us in the U.S., and we need to return and establish ourselves there. The embassy is in very good hands with Charge d’Affaires Marc Dillard,”
Whitman
Moreover, Whitman strongly dismissed any rumors suggesting her resignation stemmed from external criticism. She emphasized that her decision was a gracious step toward ensuring a smooth transition for the incoming administration.
Having been in politics for a long time, I know how these transitions work. This is primarily about facilitating a peaceful transfer of power, welcoming a new administration, and a fresh team of ambassadors,”.
Ambassador Whitman has served in her role since August 2022, and her departure marks the end of a noteworthy chapter in the Kenya-U.S. partnership. As she embarks on this new journey, her commitment to bolstering international relations will be remembered and honored.
