US envoy to Kenya quits in split with Washington

NAIROBI (AFP) - The US ambassador to Kenya has resigned citing "differences" with Washington over his leadership class and priorities, just over a year since he was appointed.

Scott Gration, a retired air force general and former US special envoy to Sudan, took up the post in Nairobi on May 2011.

"Differences with Washington regarding my leadership class and certain priorities lead me to believe that it's now time to leave. Accordingly, I submitted my notice of resignation last Monday," Gration said in a statement.

He provided no further details as to the nature of the disagreement.

Kenya is widely seen as a key base for the US in its efforts to tackle Islamist insurgents across the wider Horn of Africa region, including in Somalia where Al-Qaeda linked Shebab fighters are fighting Western-backed forces.