The government now says it fully stands behind US Ambassador Meg Whitman who continues to face criticism from the Opposition over her recent statement.
Coming hard on the heels of a call-to-recall threat by Azimio leader Raila Odinga, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has defended the envoy asking her to ignore threats.
“We value our development partners and members of the Diplomatic corps should not feel threatened or intimidated by unwarranted threats,” said Mutua.
In a statement Thursday, the CS reminded Raila that it is only his Ministry that has the power to order a recall of an envoy.
“If Kenya has a problem with any diplomat or country, it is the work of the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs to summon and seek clarification,” he explained.
Mutua said Kenya welcomes the forthright and honest comments that the envoy made on the positive strides realised so far.
“She stated facts and paid tribute to the democratic way our constitutional institutions oversaw a credible electoral process that has set Kenya on a transformative path,” he said.
He said her message resonates well with the Kenya Kwanza economic empowerment plan.
“We thank her for telling the truth to naysayers,” Mutua said.
The envoy, he said, has recognised the nation’s potential and trajectory and does not require any retribution.
In her remarks during the opening of the devolution conference in Eldoret Wednesday, Whitman maintained that the August 2022 election was the most credible in the history of Kenya.
“I arrived in Kenya days before the general election, and what I witnessed was short of remarkable,” she said amidst cheers and claps from the crowd that included President William Ruto.
The election, she noted, has even been termed by many commentators and analysts as the “freest, fairest and most credible election in Kenyan history”.
“The election was observed by local and international election organisations and the results were upheld by the Kenyan Supreme Court and power was transferred orderly and peacefully at the time,” she added.
But, speaking Thursday, Raila fired back at her saying Kenya is not a US colony and should be left to handle its internal affairs.
“Tell the rogue ambassador Kenya is not the United States. Kenya is not a colony of the United States. Keep your mouth while you are here. Otherwise, we will call for your recall back to your country,” he said.
Earlier on, leaders from both Kenya Kwanza and Azimio engaged in an exchange of words over the ambassador’s remark.
Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani separately told Raila to stop threatening the ambassador describing her as the best for Kenya.
On the other hand, Azimio senators who addressed the press from Eldoret said it was unfortunate for the envoy to delve into internal matters while disregarding the situation in the country.
They included Moses Kajwang (Homa Bay) Enoch Wambua (Kitui) and Oboru Odinga of Siaya.
