Neil Wigan OBE to replace Jane Marriott as British High Commissioner to Kenya

United Kingdom has announced the appointment of Mr Desmond Patrick Neil Wigan OBE as its British High Commissioner in Kenya, succeeding Ms Jane Marriott whose term will end in June.

“Mr Neil Wigan OBE has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Kenya in succession to Ms Jane Marriott who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Wigan will take up his appointment during July 2023,” the UK said in its statement posted on the website of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Before his new appointment, Mr Neil has been serving as His Majesty’s Ambassador in Tel Aviv, Israel, a position he has held since 2019.

Mr Neil formerly served as the Director of the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FDO) in Africa from 2015 to 2018. Also, he served as Her Majesty’s Ambassador in Mogadishu from 2013 to 2015.

The departing Commissioner, Ms Marriott, welcomed the incoming Commissioner and says she would miss Kenya after four years of service.

“After four amazing years, my time in Kenya is up in June – I will miss Kenya and Kenyans enormously,” Ms Marriott said.

Ms Marriott also said that starting in July, she will take on a new position. She formerly held the positions of Ambassador to Yemen and Director of International Counter Terrorism.

Since she assumed leadership, Ms Marriott has contributed to a number of national initiatives, including the battle against FGM and the initiative to lessen the effects of drought in some regions.