U.S. Ambassador to Kenya J. Scott Gration resigns over ‘differences’ with Washington

Source: Washington Post

By Sudarsan Raghavan, Published: June 29

NAIROBI — The U.S. ambassador to Kenya, J. Scott Gration, a close adviser and friend of President Obama, announced his resignation Friday, weeks before the scheduled release of a U.S. government audit highly critical of his leadership at the embassy.

Gration did not provide specific reasons for moving on from what he described as “his dream job.” But in an e-mailed statement, he said that “differences with Washington regarding my leadership style and certain priorities lead me to believe that it’s now time to leave.”

The audit by the State Department Office of Inspector General found that Gration repeatedly violated diplomatic security protocols at the embassy by using unsecured Internet connections despite warnings, according to a former State Department Africa Bureau official who has seen a draft of the report.

Embassy staffers complained about his lack of interpersonal skills and confrontational style, which generated low morale, the former official said.


Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/us-ambassador-to-kenya-j-scott-gration-resigns-over-differences-with-washington/2012/06/29/gJQAMOQEBW_story.html?wpisrc=emailtoafriend

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A connection I have in Kenya says this guy was a nightmare. He reportedly threatened to shoot his staff in the head, threw staplers, and refused to use secure email routes despite the serious security risks in Kenya.

She is very glad he is gone.