The US Senate has confirmed Henry Wooster as the next US Ambassador to Kenya, approving President Donald Trump’s nominee by voice vote.
The confirmation follows Trump’s nomination of Henry Wooster as the next Ambassador to Kenya, which the White House announced on June 1, 2026.
During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on September 16, Wooster described Kenya as an important security partner in East Africa, citing its role in regional security and its leadership of the multinational mission in Haiti.
Wooster faced questions on Kenya’s ties with China, health cooperation, the 2027 elections and the country’s role in Haiti.
Responding to questions on Kenya’s relationship with China, Wooster rejected the suggestion that Nairobi’s engagement with Beijing reflected an ideological shift away from Washington.
“I don’t see an ideological affinity in the relationship between Kenya and China. That has been the case throughout the Cold War, when the surrounding countries in East Africa overwhelmingly went Marxist and Communist. Kenya did not,” Wooster said.
Before his confirmation, Susan Burns has been serving as the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim at the US Embassy in Kenya since August 2025.
How Henry Wooster Defended His Nomination
Additionally, the diplomat said that the United States should strengthen its engagement with Kenya by offering alternatives in areas where China has expanded its presence, rather than treating Nairobi’s relations with Beijing as a zero-sum choice.
Wooster was also questioned about the implementation of a new US-Kenya health cooperation agreement and safeguards for American funding. He said Washington would need to maintain strong oversight as the agreement is implemented.
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Questions were further raised about the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) and concerns over the diversion of medical supplies.
Wooster acknowledged the challenges and pointed to measures to improve accountability within the supply chain.
On the 2027 elections, Wooster said the United States would support a peaceful and democratic process without taking sides between political candidates.
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Wooster’s Career and Education Background
Henry Wooster previously served as US Ambassador to Jordan from September 2020 to July 2023.
Before his ambassadorship, he was Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Maghreb and Egypt.
Wooster has held several senior diplomatic and foreign policy positions, including Deputy Chief of Mission in Paris and Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Amman. He also served as Political Counselor at the US Embassy in Islamabad.
His previous assignments include Director for Central Asia at the National Security Council, Foreign Policy Adviser to the Commanding General of the US Joint Special Operations Command, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Iran, and Director and Deputy Director of the Office of Iranian Affairs.
Wooster also served at the US Embassy in Baghdad as Deputy Director of the Office of Provincial Affairs, as well as in Moscow, NATO, Port-au-Prince, and Tbilisi.
Before joining the Foreign Service, he served as a US Army officer.
Wooster holds a Master’s degree from Yale University and a Bachelor’s degree from Amherst College.
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