Meg Whitman’s resignation: How Trump’s return to power sparked diplomatic turbulence in Kenya

How Trump’s return to power sparked diplomatic turbulence in Kenya

As 2024 draws to a close, one of the most notable diplomatic stories in Kenya remains the resignation of U.S. Ambassador Meg Whitman.

While Kenyans speculated that her resignation initially appeared to be a response to domestic controversies, The Eastleigh Voice reported it was tied to the seismic political shifts in Washington, D.C., following Donald Trump’s return to the presidency after he defeated the Democrats' candidate Vice president Kamala Harris.

Her departure aligned with the routine transition after a change at the White House. Traditionally, American diplomats who are political appointees step down before a new regime takes over in Washington.

Donald Trump's bouncing back in the U.S. presidential elections in 2024 redefined the global political landscape and this impacted American diplomacy worldwide.

In Kenya, Whitman’s resignation came almost immediately after Trump was announced the winner of the November election.

Trump, known for his transactional approach to foreign policy, has historically favoured envoys who align closely with his administration’s agenda, which may have left Whitman—an appointee of President Joe Biden—on the chopping block.

The California billionaire is a Republican who spent $144 million of her own wealth on the unsuccessful run for governor a decade ago and ended up endorsing Joe Biden for President in 2020.

“I’m a longtime Republican and a longtime CEO. And let me tell you, Donald Trump, has no clue how to run a business, let alone an economy,” Whitman had said these words at a campaign rally.

This move in 2020 wasn’t entirely surprising since in 2016, when Whitman compared then-candidate Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini, and endorsed and contributed to Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton’s campaign.

Controversial tenure

Before her resignation, Whitman was no stranger to controversy.

Former US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman (Photo: Handout)

Her tenure in Kenya had been marked by a high-profile fallout during the 2024 Devolution Conference, where her overt praise of President Ruto’s administration as a “beacon of democracy” incited outrage among Kenyans.

Critics accused the dollar billionaire-turned Ruto’s ally of ignoring the political and economic challenges many citizens faced under Ruto’s leadership.

Opposition leaders, particularly Raila Odinga, labelled her remarks as meddling in Kenya’s internal affairs, and described her as a ‘rogue ambassador’, although the two later reconciled as evidenced by their appearances at public events.

This sparked a diplomatic rift that trended for weeks on social media under hashtags like #WhitmanResign. But Odinga has since realigned with Ruto.

Her departure statement reflected on her time in office, where she expressed pride in the strengthening of U.S.-Kenya relations, particularly in trade, security, and healthcare collaboration.

She also highlighted her role in facilitating a historic rise in American investment and trade with Kenya, as well as securing Kenya’s designation as the first major non-NATO ally in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“My efforts have paved the way for more American companies to invest in Kenya,” Whitman stated.

“Trade, jobs, and U.S. investment are at an all-time high because of our efforts.”

She expressed optimism that the longstanding partnership between the United States and Kenya would continue to flourish and benefit both nations.

However, her resignation came amid growing dissatisfaction among a section of Kenyans, particularly over her perceived silence on critical human rights issues during President William Ruto’s tenure.

Former US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman and President William Ruto during the US Kenya Business Roadshow in San Francisco on September 15, 2023. (Photo: PCS)

They had been critical of the American top diplomat in Nairobi, accusing her of sidestepping concerns about human rights violations, including the violent suppression of protests and reports of enforced disappearances earlier in the year.

Her perceived alignment with President Ruto, especially during these contentious periods, fueled public outcry and demands for her resignation.

Instead of addressing democratic and human rights issues, Whitman focused her efforts on commercial diplomacy under her “Why Africa, Why Kenya” initiative, which aimed to position Kenya as a premier destination for American businesses.

This approach earned her comparisons to former U.S. envoy Smith Hempstone, a “rogue ambassador” known for his bold and combative style.

After her appointment in Nairobi in 2022, Whitman adopted an unconventional diplomatic style that diverged from the balanced approach of her predecessors, who advocated for political reform and human rights alongside economic engagement.

Former US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman (Photo Handout)

Her CEO-like, action-oriented approach prioritized fostering business ties while avoiding political controversies, a decision that left a section of Kenyans frustrated.

An article published by U.S. outlet POLITICO highlighted Meg’s unique approach to diplomacy, noting that if a U.S. official needed insight into Kenyan President William Ruto’s thoughts on a matter, she might simply say: “Let me call and ask him.”

Minutes later, she might even connect Ruto directly to the conversation.

This level of access and direct engagement was unusual for most U.S. ambassadors, even those with top-tier connections.

Charge d’Affaires Marc Dillard has taken on interim leadership of the U.S. mission in Nairobi, pending the appointment of a new ambassador by President Trump, who is set to return to the White House after his inauguration in January.