Immediate former UK ambassador to Israel Neil Wigan has arrived in Kenya to assume his new role.
Wigan who is replacing Jane Marriott who was moved to Pakistan has been in Israel for the last four years until June this year.
Speaking on his arrival, Wigan expressed his happiness to be back in the country vowing to strengthen the relations between the UK and Kenya.
“It has been a long-term ambition of mine to lead the team at the British High Commission in Nairobi. I first visited Kenya in 1977, my children went to school in Nairobi, and I have visited Kenya many times, for work and pleasure.
"I am delighted to have returned and am looking forward to exploring magical Kenya," Wigan said.
On his social media page, he wrote: “Ni furaha yangu kuwasili Nairobi kama balozi mteule wa UK hapa Kenya...I have already received a fantastic welcome from so many of you and from some of Kenya’s wildlife too.”
He said he looks forward to working with the government on the priorities of strategic partnership, particularly the Sh500 billion of UK investments.
UK donated the funds for clean, green infrastructure projects including Nairobi Railway City, Menengai Geothermal Plant, Grand High Falls Dam and the Malindi Solar Expansion project.
The projects, he said, will improve the lives of Kenyans, boost sustainable development and help tackle climate change.
UK is the largest international investor in Kenya and is Kenya’s fifth largest export market.
The upcoming Africa Climate Summit and next year’s UK-African Investment Summit, Wigan noted, will provide further opportunities to strengthen this vital partnership to the benefit of both Kenyans and British people.
Wigan holds a BA from Oxford University and an MSc in Economics from the University of London.
He was the Director for Africa at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) from November 2015 to September 2018.
He then served as British ambassador to Somalia (June 2013 to July 2015) and to the Democratic Republic of Congo from March 2010 to March 2013.
King Charles III is also expected in the country this autumn in what will mark his first visit to a commonwealth nation. King Charles III is the King of the United Kingdom.
Sky news reported early this week that his visit to Australia has been penciled for 2024 and will coincide with the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Samoa.