Editor's Review

Whitman's statement comes at a time when a section of Kenyans are calling for her resignation as US ambassador to Kenya.

Ambassador Meg Whitman has issued a statement following Donald Trump's win as the 47th President of the United States.

In the statement dated Wednesday, November 7, Whitman said she serves under the request of the President, adding that she will continue to serve in the capacity ahead of Trump's inaugural in January 2025.

"Like all U.S. ambassadors, I serve at the request of the President. The American people have spoken, and a new President will be inaugurated in January. Meanwhile, my team and I continue to work on advancing our nations’ shared goals of increased prosperity, security, and respect for democratic values," the statement read in part.

Whitman added that the relationship between Kenya and the US has matured over the past six decades and it enjoys massive support both in Kenya and the US.

"The relationship between the United States and Kenya has matured over the past 60 years and has enjoyed the support of a wide spectrum of political leaders in both Washington and Nairobi. Our relations have never been stronger and I am confident this trajectory will continue," the statement further read.

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File image of Meg Whitman speaking in a past function

Whitman's statement comes at a time when a section of Kenyans are calling for her resignation as US' ambassador to Kenya.

Following Trump's win, the hashtag #ResignMegWhitman trended on X as Kenyans expressed their anticipation of Whitman's likely recall next year under the new Trump administration. 

Notably, this reaction stems from criticism Whitman has faced recently for her alleged "meddling" in Kenya's affairs and her strong support of President William Ruto.

Her close relationship with Ruto has led some to label the president as a US puppet.

Whitman was appointed as the US Ambassador to Kenya in 2022 following her nomination for the position by President Joe Biden in December 2021, and the US Senate confirmation of the nomination on July 14, 2022. 

She officially took office and presented her credentials to then-President Uhuru Kenyatta on August 5, 2022. 

She became the eighteenth US Ambassador to Kenya and the first female ambassador to the country in over two decades, following Prudence Bushnell's appointment in 1999.