The United Kingdom (UK) has appointed Matthew Baugh as the new British High Commissioner to Kenya.
In an announcement on April 7, the UK High Commission stated that Matt Baugh will be succeeding Neil Wigan, who has taken up another role within the Diplomatic Service.
“Mr Matt Baugh OBE has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Kenya, in succession to Mr Neil Wigan OBE,” read part of the announcement.
Matthew Baugh Career Background
Matthew Baugh is set to take up his new diplomatic role in 2026, following pre-posting training that includes Swahili language instruction.
Between 2024 and 2025, he served as Director for Migration and Conflict at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
From 2022 to 2024, Baugh was Director for Euro-Atlantic Security at the FCDO.
Between 2020 and 2022, he served in Brussels as Ambassador to the EU Political and Security Committee, later becoming Director for Political and Security at the UK Mission to the European Union.
In 2019, he undertook pre-posting training, including French language instruction.
From 2016 to 2019, he worked at the Department for Exiting the European Union (DExEU) as Director for Strategy and Principal Private Secretary to the Secretary of State.
Earlier, between 2013 and 2016, he served as Deputy Director for Africa at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
Between 2010 and 2013, Baugh was the UK Ambassador in Mogadishu.
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In 2009, he completed the UK Higher Command and Staff Course, having previously served from 2008 to 2009 as Principal Private Secretary to the Secretary of State at the Department for International Development (DFID).
From 2006 to 2007, he was Deputy Director for the Iraq Department at DFID, and between 2004 and 2006, he headed the Joint Post-Conflict Reconstruction Unit across DFID, FCO, and the Ministry of Defense.
Between 2002 and 2004, he served as DFID Country Representative in Khartoum, before taking on roles as Head of Global Emergencies from 2000 to 2002, Head of the Afghanistan Crisis Unit between 2001 and 2002, and Head of the Kosovo Crisis Unit from 1999 to 2001.
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About the British High Commission
A British High Commission is the United Kingdom’s official diplomatic mission in a fellow member of the Commonwealth.
It performs functions similar to an embassy, but the term reflects the relationship between Commonwealth countries.
The mission is led by a High Commissioner, who serves as the UK government’s senior representative in the host country.
The High Commission handles diplomatic relations, including political engagement, trade and economic cooperation, and reporting on developments to London.
It also provides consular services to British nationals, supports cultural and educational links, and works with local authorities on areas such as security and development.
