President William Ruto has today bid farewell to outgoing United States of America Ambassador to Kenya, Margaret Cushing Whitman, popularly known as Meg Whitman who announced her resignation following Donald Trump’s election as president.
Her early exit was preceded by widespread calls by Kenyans on social media agitating for her recall back to Washington.
Kenyans also threatened to formally petition US president-elect Donald Trump to initiate her recall.
Her departure came amid a backlash from a section of Kenyans, who had called for her recall to Washington, citing her handling of various issues, including perceived silence on corruption, extrajudicial killings, and abductions.
The criticism intensified after the June Gen Z movement protests, during which dozens were killed by police and many others were arrested.
Whitman served as the US Ambassador to Kenya for two years, revealed in a statement to newsrooms that she had submitted her resignation to President Joe Biden.
In her statement, Whitman highlighted her role in facilitating President Ruto’s recent US state visit among key successes.
Her exit also raises fears that support for Kenyan police officers in Haiti, deployed to help combat armed gangs could gradually wane.
This comes against the backdrop of extension of the peace mission by another year after the 15-member UN Security Council unanimously approved the mission’s extension in September this year.
The United States, the mission’s primary supporter, had led efforts to secure additional funds and personnel.
Washington has committed Sh54.4 billion (US$380 million) of the Sh86 billion (US$600 million) required, while Canada has contributed Sh8.4 billion (US$60 million).
However, a shortfall of Sh22.4 billion (US$160 million) remains, hindering further reinforcements for the Kenyan contingent.
As this mission is not an official UN peacekeeping operation, it relies on voluntary contributions rather than the UN’s regular budget, making resource mobilisation challenging.
Many UN member states have been hesitant to contribute, exacerbating the difficulty.
Kenyan officers in Haiti have voiced concerns over equipment shortages and delayed wages, further complicating their operations.
Haiti has long been ravaged by violence, with armed groups—often tied to political and business interests—fighting for control of the country.
By August this year, over 578,000 Haitians had been displaced, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
Kenya’s recent appeal to the UN comes at a crucial moment, as the mission’s future relies on renewed international backing and innovative funding solutions to ensure continued progress.
