The British high commissioner to Kenya, Neil Wigan, has been picked for a new director general-level position at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Wigan is leaving his role in east Africa to become director general for strategy and delivery at FCDO, a newly-created position at the department.
He will leave his diplomatic position at the end of this month having served in the role for two years.
Wigan’s previous positions include ambassador to the State of Israel from 2019 to 2023 and director for Africa at the then-Foreign and Commonwealth Office from 2015 to 2018.
He has also worked on Middle Eastern and EU economic issues at the FCO, and worked in the Cabinet Office earlier in his career as deputy director, middle east and wider world.
Reflecting on his time in Kenya, Wigan said: “I am extremely sorry to be leaving Kenya after a whirlwind two years. The Kenya-UK partnership has gone from strength to strength – whether in trade, investment, technology, innovation or cultural links, benefitting both countries and peoples.
“Since I arrived in 2023, the close partnership between our two great nations has seen the historic visit of His Majesty King Charles III, the signing of the new Kenya-UK Strategic Partnership, Kenyan marines trained by the UK, vital infrastructure investments including Nairobi Railway City and so much more.”
“I have also seen first hand the incredible potential of Kenya and her people. From taking part in a Maasai elders meeting, to seeing how UK support is helping establish women-led businesses in Wajir, from the tea plantations of Bomet County to the Silicon Savannah, I’ve no doubt that Kenya’s future is bright. I have visited most of Kenya’s counties – I am sorry not have visited them all. Kenya and the UK are going far, together, and it has been incredibly rewarding to be part of that journey. “
“Asanteni sana na kwaherini,” he added in Kenyan, which CSW understands roughly translates to “thank you very much and goodbye”.
Wigan’s successor will be announced in the coming months. In the meantime, deputy high commissioner to Kenya, Dr Ed Barnett, will be the chargé – a diplomat who serves as an embassy's chief of mission in the absence of the high commissioner or ambassador.