Kenya is developing a flourishing "Silicon Savanah"

I am humbled by the work of our US health agencies including CDC, USAID, PEPFAR focused on fighting malaria, eradicating polio, providing life-saving drugs for 1.3 million Kenyans with HIV, and expanding access to clean water and sanitation. In my travels throughout Kenya, I have seen the positive impact of these programmes on everyday Kenyans. When catastrophic flooding hit Kenya last year, we quickly delivered $1 million in humanitarian relief for those most affected; this was in addition to the $800 million from the United States to help Kenya deal with consecutive years of historic drought that ended in 2023.

Hosting President Ruto in the United States for a State Visit was a natural extension of the work we have done to expand our ties. We penned many deals during the State Visit, including with Microsoft and G42 to build a 1-gigawat, geothermal-powered data center, and an announcement by Coca-Cola of a $175 million bottling plant investment – both investments are important job creators.   

This historic visit – the first for an African leader since 2008 – was more than deals. We announced major education partnerships that will help prepare Kenya’s next generation of tech entrepreneurs. We also laid the groundwork for expanded partnerships in police reform and the fight against HIV/Aids.

These agreements will benefit an entire generation and beyond. But to create the 1.5 - 2 million new jobs each year and the accompanying annual economic growth rate of 6 - 8 per cent necessary to lift Kenya to the next level, significant reforms are needed. The biggest impediment to Kenya’s growth and longterm success, in my view, is corruption. The taming of corruption will attract large amounts of new investment, accelerate economic growth, unlock new jobs, and address the widespread frustration expressed by hard-working Kenyans. Continuing to reform the business climate and tackling corruption will help Kenya become a global economic powerhouse. 

I have been clear – privately and publicly – that Kenya’s elected leaders must not only listen, but act on the concerns expressed by this country’s youth. The innovation and energy of Gen Z is an opportunity, not a threat. Kenya’s long-term success is grounded in the same democratic values our countries hold dear: rule of law, accountability, respect for human rights, media freedom, and encouragement for innovation.

I am proud of the accomplishments during my tenure. We have elevated the partnership between the United States and Kenya to the highest level ever.  I will remember my time as Ambassador with heartfelt gratitude and offer my sincerest thanks to the government and people of Kenya.