British High Commissioner Neil Wigan announces exit from Kenya

British High Commissioner to Kenya Neil Wigan has announced that he will be leaving the country at the end of the month to take up a senior role in London.

In a statement on Monday, August 11, the British High Commission in Nairobi said Wigan will become the Director General of Strategy and Delivery at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in the United Kingdom.

In his farewell message, Wigan reflected on his time in Kenya and the progress of the Kenya-UK partnership since his arrival.

“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,” he said.

Wigan went on to highlight several milestones achieved in the bilateral relationship.

“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,” he added.

Wigan also expressed his admiration for Kenya’s diversity, culture, and economic potential.

“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 have not visited them all,” he further said.

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Wigan’s ambassadorial assignments began when he was appointed UK Ambassador to DR Congo in 2010, a position he held until 2013.

Immediately thereafter, he was named Ambassador to Somalia, serving in Mogadishu until 2015.

Wigan then returned to London to serve as Director for Africa at the FCO from late 2015 through 2018.

In June 2019, he assumed the role of Ambassador to Israel, where he remained until mid-2023.

Soon afterward, Wigan was appointed British High Commissioner to Kenya, officially taking up his post in August 2023, succeeding Jane Marriott.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of Oxford and an MSc in Economics from the University of London.

Wigan also pursued further postgraduate studies at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.