Outgoing United States (US) Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman has lauded Kenya’s role in enhancing democracy in the East Africa region.
Speaking in Kisumu City, Whitman said Kenya was the strongest democracy in the region, a feat that was set to take the nation to greater heights.
The country, she said, has immense potential calling for the strengthening of democracy and good governance to take it to the next level.
“Every country including the United States needs to constantly work to uphold these values. Kenya is the most stable democracy in East Africa. It is not perfect; USA is not perfect either. Therefore, there is a lot more work to be done,” she said.
Whitman, who resigned last week and is set to leave the country on Saturday said her tour of duty was successful.
She lauded the strong Kenya-USA ties which have been strengthened during her tenure with the two countries signing several bilateral pacts for common good.
“This country has immense potential and I am very proud of what we have accomplished for the last two and a half years,” she said.
The Ambassador who was presiding over the swearing in of 23 Peace Corps volunteers, further lauded the Kenyan government for the support during her tenure.
Since 1964, she said over 5, 000 Peace Corps volunteers have worked in the country enhancing bilateral ties between the two countries and impacting the communities positively.
“This service is a testament not only to the volunteers’ commitment but also to the profound impact they have on the communities they serve,” she said.
As the world continues to grapple with security challenges, the Peace Corps initiative, she said, was critical to foster good ideals and friendship between countries.
Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang Nyong’o lauded the strong ties between the two countries saying the Peace Corps have contributed immensely in supporting education and health sectors in the country.
In a speech read by his deputy Dr. Mathew Owili, Nyong’o said the support has helped bridge the teachers’ shortage in the country with the volunteers actively engaged in teaching Science, technical education and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.
The swearing-in ceremony marked the conclusion of a rigorous training program for the volunteers who will now work in the communities for two years.
By Chelsea Rhoda and Chris Mahandara
