NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 18 – Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Dr. Alfred Mutua has defended US envoy to Kenya Meg Whitman following scathing attacks from the Azimio allied leaders led by Raila Odinga over election remarks.
Whitman came under fire from the leaders Wednesday for stating that Kenya had the “most credible election.”
The diplomat made the remarks during the ongoing Devolution conference in Eldoret, sparking mixed reactions from both sides of the political divide with the country’s opposition expressing discontent.
“Her (Whitman’s) message resonates well with the Kenya Kwanza economic empowerment plan and we thank her for telling the truth to naysayers, however painful it may be to some people living in denial,” Mutua said adding that Kenya welcomes the “forthright and honest comments by Whitman.”
Mutua termed Ambassador Whitman’s comments as “facts” asserting that it paid tribute to the democratic way the country’s constitutional institutions oversaw what he described as credible electoral process that has set the country on a path of transformation.
Odinga had asked the US envoy to refrain from involvement in the country’s affairs failure to which he will push for his recall by the United States labeling her as “rogue.”
However, the Foreign Affairs CS stated that Whitman who is representing President Joe Biden’s administration in the country acknowledges Kenya’s potential and trajectory.
Mutua said that Ambassador Whitman does not deserve any retribution from any individual adding that her message resonates well with the Kenya Kwanza economic empowerment plan.
He further castigated Odinga over his threat to push for Whitman’s recall from the country contending that such a move can only be initiated by the ruling government.
The Foreign Affairs CS stated that Kenya values its development partners stating that members of the Diplomatic corps “should not feel threatened or intimidated by unwarranted threats.”
“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 said.
Mutua stated that the government will partner with development partners to ensure that the Ruto administration realize its transformational plan.
