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I did not take sides in 2022 general elections – Whitman

"First of all, I had just gotten here and I didn't really understand much of what was going on."

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by EUGINE OTIENO

News16 May 2024 - 06:31

In Summary


  • She noted that as Americans they take pride in the fact that they don't take sides in elections.
  • She wondered why she received criticism when she stated that the elections were free and fair.
US ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman.

US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman has defended herself from claims that she took sides during the 2022 General Elections.

Speaking on Wednesday during an interview on Citizen TV, Whitman denied the accusations saying the polls were credible.

"It is not true, first of all, I had just gotten here and I didn't really understand much of what was going on," she said.

She also noted that as Americans they take pride in the fact that they don't take sides in elections.

She wondered why she received criticism when she stated that the elections were free and fair.

"When President William Ruto was dully elected and many people including myself feel like this was a fair and transparent election I got some criticism for saying that," Whitman said.

Whitman while speaking at the Devolution conference in August last year said that Kenya had the most transparent and democratic election the country has ever held.

Whitman declared the August 9 polls — which were unsuccessfully challenged at the Supreme Court — as the “most transparent elections in the country's history"

She said she has been super impressed with Kenya following the  elections.

She added that Ruto has also been very instrumental in fostering peace and security in the region.

The remarks triggered fierce condemnation from Azimio leader Raila Odinga and his brigade. 

Raila accused the US envoy of allegedly taking sides and sacrificing the push for electoral justice.


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