Recalling Ambassador Whitman: The Essential Steps
Former Kenyan prime minister Raila Odinga threatened to persuade US President Joe Biden to recall the American ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, on Thursday, August 17.
While speaking at the Devolution Conference in Eldoret, Raila reacted negatively to Whitman’s remarks regarding the 2022 Presidential Election. Raila ordered the diplomat to refrain from further comments in no uncertain terms.
Raila, the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), argued that Whitman’s claims regarding the August 2022 General Election being free and fair were not only contentious but also likely to foment discord.
Due to the nature of her position, Ambassador Whitman will probably not respond to the leader of the Azimio la Umoja Coalition, but her remarks may have a significant impact on Kenyan politics and even her position.
Recalling US Ambassador
In 2009, in response to widespread criticism from Kenyan legislators, former US President Barack Obama recalled former US Ambassador to Kenya Michael Ranneberger.
The criticism was prompted by the release of closely guarded secrets that revealed Ranneberger had made troubling remarks about some Kenyan leaders, including those who were in power at the time.
Ranneberger was also accused of interfering in Kenya’s internal affairs, particularly concerning constitutional reforms, under the leadership of current Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture Mithika Linturi, who was then the MP for Igembe South.
As a result, crucial figures in the administration of former President Mwai Kibaki demanded Ranneberger’s recall, and the US government eventually complied.
Eventually, Robert Godec succeeded Ranneberger as US Ambassador to Kenya, serving until 2019.
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According to specialists in foreign relations, the recall of Ranneberger marked a turning point in U.S.-Kenya relations.
The situation highlighted the sensitivity of Kenya’s political culture and the significance of diplomatic restraint. It provided additional evidence that Western diplomats, including those from influential nations, cannot cross certain boundaries.
Recalling Ambassador Whitman
Ambassador Whitman can be recalled for a variety of reasons, including administration changes in her native country, the United States of America.
The US Department of Foreign Relations specifies that this is an additional potential reason for recalling an ambassador. Concerns for their safety and security as a result of ongoing political unrest may have prompted this decision.
The procedure for recalling a US ambassador is initiated by the Secretary of State, who notifies the ambassador in a formal manner of the decision. The ambassador is given sufficient time to make arrangements and return to the United States.
After the recall decision has been made, a replacement is nominated and subject to Senate confirmation. The newly appointed diplomat then undertakes the position of ambassador and is sent to Nairobi to assume the position.
When an ambassador is recalled, the deputy chief of mission (DCM) assumes the topmost diplomatic position in the embassy, chargé d’affaires. The DCM is responsible for maintaining the operations of the embassy until the arrival of the new ambassador.
Recalling Ambassador Whitman: The Essential Steps
