https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230820/kenya-neither-us-nor-its-colony-opposition-leader-tells-us-envoy-to-leave-kenyans-alone-1061457051.html
Kenya 'Neither the US, Nor Its Colony': Opposition Tells US Envoy to 'Leave Kenyans Alone'
Kenya 'Neither the US, Nor Its Colony': Opposition Tells US Envoy to 'Leave Kenyans Alone'
Sputnik Africa
US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman was criticized by Raila Odinga following her remarks on Wednesday calling the 2022 elections won by William Ruto the "freest... 20.08.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-08-20T11:22+0200
2023-08-20T11:22+0200
2023-08-20T11:59+0200
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Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odingo of the alliance Azimio has slammed the US ambassador for purportedly meddling in Kenya's affairs, asking her to "leave Kenya alone" and threatening to ask the US government to recall the envoy if she doesn't "shut up."His comments came while addressing delegates at the Governors' Conference in Eldoret.His remarks came a day after Whitman hailed President William Ruto's administration, endorsing his victory in the August 2022 presidential elections and pledging the current government support and greater cooperation with the US. In her speech at the Devolution Conference, held by the Council of Governors on August 15-19 in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, western Kenya, the ambassador also described Kenya as Africa's best investment destination, highlighting the country's promising investment prospects and business environment. However, her statements failed to gain much support from the country's opposition, which hotly contested last year's results, with the dispute ending up in the Supreme Court, which ultimately upheld Ruto's win. Members of the Azimio coalition told local media that Whitman's comments were "unfortunate" and out of touch with the country's realities. One of the senators stated that her words were personal and "inspired by the envoy's corporate instincts of pleasing the buyer to close a deal." The Azimio senators also expressed their hope that Whitman didn't represent the position of the American government.But in a quick rejoinder, governors and senators from the ruling Kenya Kwanza group slammed the Azimio leader for his remarks, noting that it's "unfortunate to hear a man at such level talking about an ambassador and telling an ambassador to shut up." The politicians insisted that the envoy had said nothing wrong, as they also consider Kenya's elections the freest and most democratic.One of the Kenya Kwanza members explained that, "Whitman spoke very well of Kenya, and we encourage all the ambassadors to feel the freedom to speak well about the nation you have been sent to." Ruto was declared president by Kenya's Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission on August 15, 2022, six days after the general election. He defeated Raila Odinga by 50.49% to 48.85%. Odinga refused to recognize the results and has led demonstrations since March against what he called a "rigged" election.
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east africa, kenya, raila odinga, william ruto, united states (us), ambassador, politics, opposition
east africa, kenya, raila odinga, william ruto, united states (us), ambassador, politics, opposition
Kenya 'Neither the US, Nor Its Colony': Opposition Tells US Envoy to 'Leave Kenyans Alone'
11:22 20.08.2023 (Updated: 11:59 20.08.2023) US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman was criticized by Raila Odinga following her remarks on Wednesday calling the 2022 elections won by William Ruto the "freest and fairest" in the country's history.
Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odingo of the alliance Azimio has slammed the US ambassador for purportedly meddling in Kenya's affairs, asking her to "leave Kenya alone" and threatening to ask the US government to recall the envoy if she doesn't "shut up."
His comments came while addressing delegates at the Governors' Conference in Eldoret.
"I want to tell the rogue ambassador, leave Kenyans alone,” Odinga said, adding: "Tell the rogue ambassador, Kenya is neither the US nor is it a colony of the United States. Keep your mouth shut while you are here. Otherwise, we will call for your recall back to your country."
His remarks came a day after Whitman hailed President William Ruto's administration,
endorsing his victory in the August 2022 presidential elections and pledging the current government support and greater cooperation with the US.
"What I witnessed was nothing short of remarkable, Kenya held what many analysts said was the freest, fairest, and most credible [elections] in Kenyan history," she said, adding: "The elections were observed by international organizations and upheld by the Supreme Court and power was transferred ordinarily and peacefully at the time."
In her speech at the Devolution Conference, held by the Council of Governors on August 15-19 in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, western Kenya, the ambassador also described Kenya as Africa's best investment destination, highlighting the country's promising investment prospects and business environment.
However, her statements failed to gain much support from the country's opposition, which hotly
contested last year's results, with the dispute ending up in the Supreme Court, which ultimately upheld Ruto's win.
Members of the Azimio coalition told local media that Whitman's comments were "unfortunate" and out of touch with the country's realities. One of the senators stated that her words were personal and "inspired by the envoy's corporate instincts of pleasing the buyer to close a deal."
The Azimio senators also expressed their hope that Whitman didn't represent
the position of the American government.
"In any case, Kenyan politicians and diplomats have never taken positions on American elections, imperfect and indecisive as they have been from the Bush/Al Gore to the Biden/Trump contests," the senators said.
But in a quick rejoinder, governors and senators from the ruling Kenya Kwanza group slammed the Azimio leader for his remarks, noting that it's
"unfortunate to hear a man at such level talking about an ambassador and telling an ambassador to shut up." The politicians insisted that the envoy had said nothing wrong, as they also consider Kenya's
elections the freest and most democratic.
One of the Kenya Kwanza members explained that, "Whitman spoke very well of Kenya, and we encourage all the ambassadors to feel the freedom to speak well about the nation you have been sent to."
Ruto was declared president by Kenya's Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission on August 15, 2022, six days after the general election. He defeated Raila Odinga by 50.49% to 48.85%. Odinga refused to recognize the results and
has led demonstrations since March against what he called a "rigged" election.
