Meg Whitman Responds After Being Trolled for Blocking Highway to Take Photo

U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman
A Photo Collage of U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman
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Meg Whitman

United States Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman has reacted after Kenyans mocked her online over a photo she took at the iconic elephant tusks in Mombasa.

While trolling the envoy, a section of Kenyans questioned the timing of the photo observing that the ambassador's escort vehicles had disrupted normal traffic flow.

Responding to the trolls, the envoy, however, chose to see the lighter side, poking fun at her own photo which she claimed was unclear.

"OK, I hear you. My original photo wasn't the greatest. Show me your best photos from Mombasa's iconic tusks," the envoy remarked in a statement.

US Ambassador Meg Whitman listens during the visit to the Silicon Valley in San Francisco on September 15, 2023.
A photo of US Ambassador Meg Whitman following President William Ruto's speech at Silicon Valley in San Francisco on September 15, 2023.
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The different sections of Kenyans who trolled the ambassador had critiqued her photo for various reasons including claiming that it was poorly taken.

"Blocking a busy road to momentarily pose for a photo, inconveniencing other motorists," one social media user quipped.

Meg Whitman who is on a working tour of the Mombasa region took the photo on November 20 and expressed her excitement at finally coming up close to the elephant tusks.

"I am on Site, County 001. Had to make a stop on my working tour to see the iconic elephant tusks in Mombasa," Whitman stated at the time.

The US Ambassador has in the recent past been subjected to sharp criticism over various issues.

Most notably, Meg was on the receiving end of a scathing verbal attack from opposition leader Raila Odinga over what he termed as meddling in Kenyan affairs.

"Tell the rogue ambassador Kenya is not the United States. Kenya is not a colony of the United States," Raila stated in response to the diplomat's remarks made during the Devolution Conference where she claimed that Kenya's 2022 presidential election was the most transparent in the continent.

Whitman has however since taken stock of her own comments and conceded that the remarks were ill-advised.

“I was surprised as I did not think what I said was pretty controversial. Then I understood that many people at that conference thought it was controversial,” she stated during an interview on November 11. 

Azimio Leader Raila Odinga and Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina announcing Senate leadership changes on February 16, 2023.
Azimio Leader Raila Odinga and Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina announcing Senate leadership changes on February 16, 2023.
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Raila Odinga