In the intricate web of international relations, the role of ambassadors is paramount. They serve as the embodiment of their respective governments’ policies and interests in foreign lands. One such relationship of significance is that between the United States of America (USA) and Kenya. The recent tensions arising from Kenya’s political opposition’s unbothered nature of sentiments toward the USA Ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whiteman, have stirred concerns about the potential repercussions on the well-established ties between these two nations. The tensions stem from her acknowledgement of the 2022 presidential elections as the “free-iest and fairest” democratic election in her speech during the opening of the Devolution Conference in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, on 16th August 2023. This stance has further strained relations, as the opposition contested the election results in September 2022 before the 7-bench Supreme Court jury. However, led by Chief Justice Martha Koome, the bench ruled that there was insufficient evidence to nullify the election results, effectively endorsing William Ruto as Kenya’s fifth president.
Read more: President Ruto’s Promise to Governors Amid Heightening Bad Blood
While the opposition leader justified himself by asserting that he did not directly attack the USA government and was a personal friction with Ms. Whiteman, it is essential to recognize that statements or actions taken by Ambassador Whiteman are viewed as a reflection of Washington DC’s stance on Kenya, making her a vital cog in maintaining the harmonious mutual relationship between the USA and Kenya. Thus, any criticism directed at her or her actions can inadvertently translate to a perceived affront to the US government itself, leading to potentially negative consequences for both nations.
One critical aspect of the Kenya-US relationship is economic cooperation. According to Kenya National Bureau of Statistics Balance of Payments 2022, US was the 2nd largest export destination of Kenya, reporting goods worth Kshs 79.9 billion of exports in 2022, representing 34.2% increase from Kshs 59.6 billion recorded in 2021. On the other hand, imports from US were valued at Kshs 93.4 billion in 2022, increasing by 10.8% from Kshs 84.2 billion in 2021, making the superpower nation the 7th largest importer of goods to Kenya. Having a trade balance deficit of Kshs 13.4 billion in 2022 from Kshs 7.4 billion in 2020 and Kshs 24.7 billion in 2021, it significantly shows an increasing reliance on the first world nation. This shift towards greater economic dependence on the first-world nation highlights the need for a stable and cordial relationship with the USA.
Unlike the previous regimes led by Daniel Moi and Mwai Kibaki, where international envoys sided with the opposition in raising concerns about political rulings, democratic governance, and economic performance, the current envoys appear to be ineffectively vocal. A shift from this trend to the current diplomatic ease with Dr Ruto’s government indicates the positive role diplomatic rapport can play in nurturing a stable environment but does not sit well with the opposition.
Kenya is not the only country experiencing shifts in international diplomacy. Recently, significant support by the government and reliance on sitting presidents on foreign envoys have showcased murky diplomatic discomfort with the opposition regimes. This trend has led to recognizable political betrayals, evacuation of international embassies, staging coup d’états on sitting presidents who have helped these foreign embassies enjoy the good tidings of the government as witnessed in West African countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali and recently in Niger, and other discomfort relationship in other countries globally.
To prevent the situation from escalating further, both the Kenyan government and the opposition must prioritize diplomatic solutions. The ongoing dialogue truce dubbed ‘bipartisan talks’ between the opposition and the government represents a crucial opportunity for addressing these international diplomacy and public relations concerns before the events turn into a ticking time bomb. It is essential to recognize that nurturing the relationship between the US and Kenya is not only about maintaining political amicability but also about safeguarding economic stability and mutual growth.
Email your news TIPS to editor@thesharpdaily.com
