Meg Whitman Offers 9 Reasons Why US Interest in Kenya Increased

by Geoffrey Lutta on Wednesday, 26 April 2023 – 10:28 am

Photo collage between President William Ruto and US President Joe Biden Speaking on Sunday, April 23, 2023.

On Tuesday, April 25, Ambassador Meg Whitman clarified US's growing interest towards Kenya becoming its mainstay in the East African Community.

During a roadshow in New York, the business magnate told US citizens that President William Ruto's administration had positioned itself well, increasing its prospects as an investment hub.

According to Whitman, US President Joe Biden also picked Kenya over other countries due to its democracy, rising to be one of the most stable and free nations in East Africa.

Kenya was also considered the gateway to the East African market, with over 500 million consumers. The country's airports, including Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), according to the renowned diplomat, serve more than 40 international airlines.

US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman with Cabinet Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alfred Mutua and his Trade counterpart Moses Kuria in US on Tuesday April 25, 2023.

The Port of Mombasa operations also appealed to US investors seeking to establish their presence in Kenya. She thus labelled Kenya as a leading regional logistics hub.

According to Whitman, US investors view Kenyan youth as well-educated with a proper understanding of the English language.

"Kenya has the Silicon Savanah, with super smart engineers," she stated.

"It is the leading destination for foreign direct investment and venture capital," she added.

Besides a well-informed workforce, Whitman insisted that Kenya's energy prospect attracts investors, with renewable energy as one of the areas the US was exploring in President Ruto's administration.

"Kenya has a consistent, transparent, and fairly administered national tax policy to attract and retain foreign direct investment and accelerate economic development," she remarked.

"In 2022, the United States became Kenya’s largest export market, edging ahead of neighbouring Uganda," Whitman disclosed.

She, however, urged the government to clamp down on graft which she indicated was affecting delivery in all sectors of the economy.

"Without a doubt graft is also a critical issue that must be addressed for Kenya to reach its full potential in all areas of development. Graft leads to misuse of public resources, slows economic growth and job creation, and damages the investment climate," Whitman stated.

"Graft also undermines equal participation in the prosperity of this country and erodes public trust in institutions," the US ambassador elaborated.

President William Ruto presiding over the pass-out parade of Kenya Prisons Cadets at Prison Staff Training College in Ruiru, Kiambu on Monday, April 24, 2023.