Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Wednesday, December 5, 2023, held talks with the new United Kingdom (UK) High Commissioner to Kenya Neil Wigan at his official Karen residence in Nairobi.

In a statement, the country’s second-in-command said the discussions centred on deepening strategic partnerships between the two countries in areas of mutual interest, including trade and foreign investment.

“This morning, at the Official Residence in Karen, I hosted the new UK High Commissioner to Kenya H.E Neil Wigan for discussions on deepening the socio-economic ties between the two Nations in areas that include Trade, Foreign Direct Investment, Security, Climate Change Action, Technology Transfer, Women and Youth Empowerment, among other areas as underpinned by the Kenya-UK Strategic Partnership Framework, 2020-2025,” Gachagua stated.

He added: “The Ruto Administration is keen on pursuing partnerships that directly feed to the achievement of the Kenya Kwanza Plan of transforming the socio-economic fortunes of our people.”

Wigan was appointed British High Commissioner to Kenya in April this year. He succeeded Jane Marriott, who was posted to Pakistan.

Marriot served as the first female UK High Commissioner to Kenya from 2019 until her official exit from Kenya in June 2023.

On the other hand, Wigan previously served as the British ambassador to Israel.

He also served as the UK Ambassador to Somalia between 2013 and 2015.

Wigan, speaking after he arrived in Nairobi, revealed that he had longed to work in Kenya.

“It has been a long-term ambition of mine to lead the team at the British High Commission in Nairobi,” the new envoy said on arrival. “I first visited Kenya in 1977. My children went to school in Nairobi, and I have visited Kenya many times, for work and pleasure. I am delighted to have returned.”

He pledged to work with the Kenyan authorities to strengthen ties between the two nations as well as promote investments in green infrastructure projects.

“I look forward to working with the Government of Kenya on the priorities of our Strategic Partnership, particularly the Ksh500 billion of UK investment in clean, green infrastructure projects including the Nairobi Railway City, the Menengai geothermal plant, Grand High Falls Dam and the Malindi Solar Expansion project,” he added.

“These projects, among others, will improve the lives of Kenyans, boost sustainable development, and help tackle climate change. I look forward to seeing these projects and other UK-Kenya partnerships.”