Smith Hempstone
1929 – 2006 American journalist, US Ambassador to Kenya 1989-1993
American journalist and ambassador who openly pushed Moi's Kenya toward multiparty democracy.
- Affiliations
- US State Department
Smith Hempstone was a syndicated columnist and editor appointed by President George H. W. Bush as US ambassador to Kenya in 1989. Breaking with quiet diplomacy, he publicly backed pro-democracy campaigners and warned that US aid would be tied to political and economic reform. His stance angered Moi's government and helped embolden the opposition during the return to multiparty politics. He recounted the posting in his memoir 'Rogue Ambassador' and died in 2006.
Connections
- rival of Daniel arap Moi — Publicly pressed his government to open up politically.
- rival of Daniel arap Moi — The US ambassador pressed him publicly to allow multiparty politics.
In the timeline
- 1989 Smith Hempstone arrives as US ambassador the incoming ambassador
- 1990 Hempstone ties US aid to democratic reform ambassador who linked aid to reform
- 1990 Ambassador Hempstone uses a Nairobi Rotary Club to press for reform mentioned
- 1991 Paris donors freeze aid over reform US envoy who pressed the donor position