Kihika Charges At Raila Over Threat Against US Ambassador
Kihika described the comments by Raila as unfortunate given that Whitman is one of the country's hardest-working diplomats.
admin
Nakuru Governor, Susan Kihika, led a contingent of governors allied with President William Ruto in slamming former Prime Minister Raila Odinga for his wanton criticism of US Ambassador Meg Whitman at the ongoing Devolution Conference in Uasin Gishu.
Speaking moments after Raila's address on Thursday, August 17, Kihika angrily called out the ODM leader for ordering Whitman to keep off Kenyan affairs, accusing him of misusing the influence he amasses in the country and across the world.
While voicing her support for Whitman, Kihika described the comments by Raila as unfortunate given that Whitman is one of the country's hardest-working diplomats.
Governors Susan Kihika (far left), Gladys Wanga (left) and Wavinya Ndeti (far right) with US Ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman (centre) during the Devolution Conference in Eldoret on August 16, 2023. /MEG WHITMAN
"I’m sure Raila would not have used the words he used this afternoon. It is actually quite unfortunate to hear a man at such a level talk about an ambassador and tell her to shut up. Perhaps it is time for me to tell Raila to shut up.
"If he had really heard what she presented, he would have seen that she is the best ambassador not for the US to Kenya but like a Kenyan ambassador. She represents and talks about Kenya in a more positive and patriotic way than most Kenyans that I know," she strongly stated.
Kihika went on to call upon the ODM leader to take a break and refrain from making the ambassador's work in the country more difficult by downgrading her, the second time he did so since she was appointed to serve in Kenya in December 2021.
She and Ruto's team vowed to safeguard Whitman from the opposition's threats to have her recalled from Kenya.
The governors also accused Raila of trying to incite them against the national government led by President Ruto, arguing that the former premier had intended to use the devolution conference to undermine some of the partnerships between the county and national governments.
"For 10 years, we have been working well with the National Government. He is trying to incite against the national government in the distribution of cheap fertiliser, which is now Ksh2,500, you wonder, does he mean well to Kenya?" she wondered.
Kihika's statement comes minutes after Raila rekindled his verbal feud with Whitman regarding her remarks terming the 2022 elections as the most credible Kenya has ever had, contrary to Raila's view.
He termed Whitman as a rogue ambassador who was meddling with Kenyan affairs on behalf of the US and told her to shut up instead.
"I want to tell the rogue ambassador Kenya is not the United States or a colony of the United States. Keep your mouth shut while here otherwise we will call for your recall back to your country,” said Raila.
During her presentation at the devolution conference, Whitman praised the 2022 polls as the most credible in Kenya's history, backing her sentiments with findings by analysts and commentators.
She also hailed the subsequent Supreme Court ruling that upheld the election of Ruto as President as a testament to the free and fair process.
