Kyle McCarter, the United States Ambassador to Kenya has embraced social media to address what is ailing the country in what is seen as a tactical way to drive his point to authorities.
By departing from the traditional boardroom ways, the Ambassador has brought masses on the table of discussing pertinent issues and more so on the war against corruption. As the top diplomat representing American interests in Kenya, he has cut himself as an advocate for Kenya by giving what can only be described as the ‘brutal’ truth.
Many diplomats are not known for being openly vocal against social, economic and political crimes mostly perpetrated by those in power, but Ambassador McCarter has caught Kenyans on social media in surprise as he breaks the norm.
Since President Uhuru Kenyatta confirmed his appointment on January 2, the Ambassador has not shied away from speaking his mind through his Twitter handle that has a following of 231k people. And more than often, he has triggered debates mostly on the war against graft- one of the major vices ailing the country and responsible for a massive loss of public resources.
But his tweet on Thursday might be the most intriguing, made on a day President Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto led Kenyans in marking the 17th National Prayer Breakfast.
Kenyan leaders are praying and asking for forgiveness for the sin of thievery at the 17th annual National Prayer Breakfast. What a good start to take the nation on the path of prosperity the wananchi deserve. We must all do our part. #stopthesethieves pic.twitter.com/OgLKen8LYl
— Ambassador Kyle McCarter (@USAmbKenya) May 30, 2019
The tweet immediately elicited reactions, with the majority of those who posted a comment agreeing with the Ambassador. Reacting to the Ambassador’s tweet, @chrisogonas posted “Ambassador I hope you’re engaging the power of sarcasm. Career thieves need no prayers. Their prayers are a mockery to the nation and God. Before prayer, during prayer, after prayer, these folks will remain the same. No business conducting this prayer ritual every year. Bure!!!”
Ambassador didn’t miss the opportunity to make a response:
In this atmosphere we must celebrate every effort to recognize and take on thievery.
— Ambassador Kyle McCarter (@USAmbKenya) May 30, 2019
@edwin_shoo was quick to caution the Ambassador, “Don’t be fooled @USAmbKenya.They are good at putting up a show of piety. But, a few days afterward they are back at what they do best. Lies, sowing disunity and in the midst of it accumulating untold wealth via hook or crook.”
Loads of comments followed as Kenyans freely engaged the Ambassador, openly and freely sharing their opinions.
Rafer Mazer, an American citizen living in Kenya, however, had a different feeling about the envoy’s approach.
I'm an American living in Kenya too, and am disappointed in your statement. I would hope for a more useful analysis and engagement on this topic that is costing Kenyans dearly. So my Kenyan taxes get misappropriated, then my American taxes go to palliative statements about it?
— Rafe Mazer (@rkmazer) May 30, 2019
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In a rejoinder, the Ambassador clarified that “Sir, this was a tweet, not a full position paper on dealing with thievery & I think you know this.”
The former manufacturing entrepreneur in Lebanon, Illinois and a father of two is also known for using provocative hashtags, just to pass the message. If it is not #fedupwithcorruption then it is #stopthesethieves and #employKenyanYouth when meeting investors like he did when he met business mogul Dr. Chris Kirubi, who is also the Capital Limited Group chairman.
On March 31, he tweeted “We cannot defer the responsibility to fight corruption to another generation. May God give us the courage to take up this fight. Watoto wetu wana thamani yake. #FedUpwithCorruption.”
And to show his prowess in Swahili, the Ambassador has been sneaking one word or two in his tweets. Ambassador McCarter has rekindled the memories of Ambassador Michael Ranneberger who served in Kenya from 2006 to 2011, at times when the political environment was volatile and just like now, corruption was rampant. Ambassador Ranneberger was visible and controversial.
United States President Donald Trump is equally known of making serious political statements on his Twitter handle, though at some point he is simply dismissing CNN for ‘fake news’ or applauding ‘Fox News’ for good coverage.
Like father like son, one may say.
Whether the 240 characters on Twitter will make a difference or not, time will tell.
This article was written by Capital FM Senior Reporter Joseph Muraya.