Cabinet Secretary Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Alfred Mutua has called out opposition leader Raila Odinga over his remarks on US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman.
In a statement on Friday, August 18, Mutua stated that the Ambassador spoke the truth and should not be disturbed.
“The Kenyan Government welcomes the forthright and honest comments that the US Ambassador made on the positive strides that Kenya has made in the last one year.
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,” said Mutua.
Further, Mutua explained that the government welcomes the fact that the US Ambassador has seen the enormous potential that Kenya under the leadership of President William Ruto has.
In addition, the CS said Whitman’s message aligns with Ruto’s economic plan adding that she should not feel threatened by Odinga’s comments.
“She (Whitman) has recognized our nation’s potential and trajectory and does not require any retribution from any person who loves our country.
Her 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,” stated Dr. Mutua.
Also Read: Kenya Is Not US Colony – Raila Attacks Whitman
Additionally, Mutua declared that the Kenya Kwanza government values development partners and members of the Diplomatic corps.
“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.
It is only the Government of Kenya that can seek the recalling of an envoy. As a government, we will work with those attuned to the transformational plan and welcome our partners who can see that Kenya is moving in the right direction,” added Mutua.
Kenya Kwanza Defends Whitman
In a quick rejoinder, the National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah defended the US Ambassador against attacks from the opposition.
Ichung’wah said the US Ambassador was simply stating the obvious that the elections of 2022 were Transparent and Fair.
Further, Ichung’wah asked Odinga to stop threatening the diplomat adding that he cannot recall her.
“Stop threatening her, you can’t recall her from nowhere baba. Live with the truth of losing an election and focus on 2027 now. Meanwhile maandamano must never be about Violence.
Learn to protest peaceable and unarmed, that way nobody has a quarrel with protests and demonstrations,” said Ichung’wah.
Miguna faults Raila over Whitman
On Thursday, August 17, Lawyer Miguna Miguna also criticized Odinga for going after Whitman claiming that he has surrendered and lost hope.
“Anyone with a genuine interest in the presidency of the Republic of Kenya in the 21st century cannot speak like this to the US ambassador to Kenya – or to any other diplomat. In diplomacy, this is called suicide,” stated Miguna.
Further, Miguna asked Odinga to admit that his counterpart Kalonzo Musyoka has also delivered a surrender notice to Ichung’wah.
“Raila Odinga claims that Ichung’wah is holding discussions with Kalonzo Musyoka because they have missed each so much during maandamano.
Why is Kenya’s 80-year-old conman too cowardly to acknowledge that Kalonzo delivered his surrender notice to Ichung’wa? Why is he quarreling with a mere ambassador instead of William Ruto?” posed Miguna.
Raila vs Whitman
Speaking at the ongoing Devolution Conference in Uasin Gishu county, on Thursday August 17, Odinga castigated Whitman over her remarks on Kenya’s 2022 elections.
The opposition told the US ambassador diplomat to keep off Kenya’s internal affairs.
” Finally, I want to tell a rogue ambassador, leave Kenyans alone. Tell the rogue ambassador, Kenya is not a colony of the United States, keep your mouth shut when you are here, or else you will be recalled,” Odinga further stated.
In her presentation at the Devolution Conference on Wednesday, August 16, Whiteman said Kenya had made a big step in terms of democracy.
She further stated that the 2022 General Election was the most transparent in the history of the nation.
“I arrived in Kenya days before the general election, what I witnessed was short of a remarkable,” said Whitman while addressing at the conference.
In addition, she stated that the Supreme Court ruling reaffirmed the transparency of the last polls and the progress that Kenya had been made in terms of democracy.
