British High Commissioner to Kenya, Neil Wigan OBE, will step down from his post at the end of August 2025, capping off a two-year tenure.
Wigan, who assumed his role in 2023, departs Nairobi to take up a senior position as Director General Strategy and Delivery at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in London.
“I am extremely sorry to be leaving Kenya after a whirlwind two years,” Wigan said in a statement on August 11.
“The Kenya-UK partnership has gone from strength to strength, whether in trade, investment, technology, innovation or cultural links, benefitting both countries and peoples.”
Achievements While in Kenya
During his time in Kenya, Wigan oversaw a series of landmark moments in bilateral relations, including the historic visit of His Majesty King Charles III, the signing of a new Kenya-UK Strategic Partnership, and joint military training initiatives such as the development of the Kenyan marine unit.
Under his leadership, the UK also backed major infrastructure projects like Nairobi Railway City and supported grassroots initiatives, including women-led enterprises in Wajir and tech development in the “Silicon Savannah.”
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“I have seen first-hand the incredible potential of Kenya and her people,” Wigan said.
“From taking part in a Maasai elder meeting to visiting the tea plantations of Bomet County, I’ve no doubt that Kenya’s future is bright.”
Wigan expressed regret at not having visited all of Kenya’s counties but said he was proud of the journey the two nations have taken together.
“Kenya and the UK are going far, together, and it has been incredibly rewarding to be part of that journey,” he said. “Thank you and goodbye”
His successor has yet to be announced.
Career of Neil Wigan
Neil Wigan OBE served as His Majesty’s High Commissioner to the Republic of Kenya.
Previously, Neil was Ambassador to the State of Israel from June 2019 to June 2023.
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He also served as Director for Africa at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) from November 2015 to September 2018, British Ambassador to Somalia from June 2013 to July 2015, and British Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo from March 2010 to March 2013.
Neil has also worked in the Cabinet Office, working for the Prime Minister’s Foreign Policy Adviser, and on Middle Eastern and EU economic issues within the FCO.
He has a BA from Oxford University, an MSc in Economics from the University of London, and did postgraduate studies at the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University.
Before joining the FCO, he worked at the Bank of England and as an economist in the private sector.
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