British High Commissioner to Kenya Neil Wigan will leave Nairobi at the end of August after two years in the role, marking the end of an era that saw increased diplomatic, commercial, and cultural relations between the United Kingdom and Kenya.
Wigan departs for London, where he is to take up a new role as Director General Strategy and Delivery at the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
In a statement on Monday, the outgoing envoy reflected warmly on his time in Kenya, describing the past two years as “a whirlwind” marked by historic milestones and strengthened cooperation between the two nations.
“I am extremely sorry to be leaving Kenya after a whirlwind two years,” he said. “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 his arrival in 2023, Wigan oversaw several landmark moments in bilateral relations, including the state visit of King Charles III, the signing of the new Kenya-UK Strategic Partnership, the training of Kenyan marines by the UK, and infrastructure projects such as the Nairobi Railway City.
The envoy also travelled widely across the country, visiting most counties and experiencing Kenya’s diversity firsthand from attending a Maasai elders’ gathering to touring tea plantations in Bomet, meeting women entrepreneurs in Wajir supported by UK funding, and witnessing innovations in the “Silicon Savannah.”
“I have no doubt that Kenya’s future is bright,” he said. “Kenya and the UK are going far, together, and it has been incredibly rewarding to be part of that journey. Asanteni sana na kwaherini.”Wigan’s departure will pave the way for the appointment of a new British High Commissioner to continue the diplomatic mission in Nairobi.
