UK envoy to Kenya, Neil Wigan's mission comes to an end

British High Commissioner to Kenya, Neil Wigan, is set to leave his ambassadorial role for a higher calling back in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Wigan announced his exit in a statement on Monday 11, saying he is leaving "for a promotion to Director General Strategy and Delivery within the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office."

He noted that his two-year stint in Kenya, the partnership between the two countries has grown stronger, resulting to 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. 

"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 have no doubt that Kenya’s future is bright. I have visited most of Kenya’s counties, I am sorry not have visited them all," he said.

He expressed that he is "extremely sorry to be leaving Kenya after a whirlwind two years," observing that the Kenya-UK partnership has gone from "strength to strength whether in trade, investment, technology, innovation or cultural links, benefitting both countries and peoples." 

Mr. Wigan was posted to Kenyan in August, 2023, after serving as British Ambassador to Israel since 2019.

He had also served as the UK envoy to Somalia from June 2013 to July 2015, and British Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo from March 2010 to March 2013.

While biding bye expressed optimism, saying Kenya and the UK "are going far, together, and it has been incredibly rewarding to be part of that journey. Asanteni sana na kwaherini.

According to the envoy, his successor will be announced in the coming months. However, Deputy High Commissioner to Kenya, Dr Ed Barnett, will be for the meantime