What Will Be Meg Whitman’s Legacy?

On Wednesday, US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman penned her resignation, with a year left in her term.

This resignation comes a week after the return of Donald Trump to the White House and also comes on the back of sustained calls from angry Kenyans for her ouster. Whitman, who became the second female American ambassador to Kenya said she had tendered her resignation to outgoing US President Joe Biden.

She had replaced Kyle McCarter, an appointee of Donald Trump’s first term who had quit earlier in 2021 after Joe Biden trounced Trump. Both were political appointees, not mainstream diplomats. By November 2024, Whitman had about a year left on her tenure, going by the American tradition of sending envoys to stations for three years, with rare exceptions of extensions.

Meg Whitman’s Legacy

While announcing her resignation, Whitman highlighted her achievements in the position, citing the various trade, health and security deals that Kenya signed with the US such as the elevation of Kenya as its first major non-NATO ally in sub-Saharan Africa.

“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 U.S government prioritizes the health and welfare of our friends in Kenya,” Whitman said in a statement.

She has also been an integral part of the development of technology in Kenya, using her experience in the Silicon Valley to grow the Silicon Savannah.

As a former Chief Executive of top tech companies like eBay and HP. She used her connections in the American Chamber of Commerce to pitch Kenya to American businesspeople. Some have succeeded while others still look hopeful.

A public defender of the William Ruto presidency, she was once described by opposition leader Raila Odinga as a ‘rogue ambassador’, although the two later reconciled as shown in appearances at public events. Odinga himself has since realigned with Ruto.

Whitman has also been criticised for failing to speak out about abuses, including abductions and disappearances of civilians, especially after the Gen Z protests in early June. Western diplomatic missions took about ten days to condemn the violence.

On Wednesday, she also expressed confidence that Kenya’s relationship with America will continue under the new administration.

“I have no doubt that our 60 years of partnership will continue to strengthen and serve Americans and Kenyans as we aim to build more prosperous, healthy, secure, and democratic nations,” she said in her resignation statement.