US Ambassador to Kenya nominee Henry WoosterUS Ambassador to Kenya nominee Henry Wooster has described Kenya as one of Washington’s most important partners in Africa, pledging to deepen security, trade and investment ties if confirmed.
Appearing before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday, Wooster said Kenya’s strategic position in East Africa, growing economy and role in regional security made it a critical partner for the United States.
“Our relationship with Kenya is one of our most enduring and consequential partnerships on the African continent,” Wooster told the committee.
He said Kenya was the only major non-NATO ally of the US in Sub-Saharan Africa, describing the status as a reflection of strong military cooperation and Kenyan leadership in East Africa.
“Kenya plays a similarly indispensable role in East Africa,” he said, drawing a comparison with Jordan, where he previously served as US ambassador.
Wooster said the partnership between the two countries was based on shared democratic values, mutual respect and a common interest in regional and international stability.
He identified counterterrorism and the fight against transnational crime as key areas of cooperation, describing Kenya as a “frontline partner” in global security efforts.
His nomination comes after his recent stint as Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Haiti, where he said he witnessed Kenya’s role in international security through the deployment of its police personnel to Haiti.
“Our collaboration there underscored for me Kenya’s commitment to international peace and global stability: Kenya ‘walks the talk’ about global security,” he said.
Beyond security, Wooster said Washington sees Kenya as a major economic partner and a gateway to East Africa.
“Kenya represents a cornerstone of American engagement in Africa,” he said, citing the country’s technology sector, young population and marketplace as opportunities for US investment.
If confirmed, Wooster said his policy priorities would include expanding economic ties and promoting mutual prosperity while maintaining security cooperation.
“Kenya’s dynamic tech sector, entrepreneurial spirit, and democratic institutions make it a natural partner for expanded American trade and investment,” he said.
Wooster also pledged to make the safety and security of US citizens in Kenya a key responsibility, including Americans residing in or visiting the country and US diplomatic personnel.
“If confirmed, my most sacred duty will be to prioritise the safety and security of the hundreds of thousands of US citizens residing in or visiting Kenya each year,” he said.
Wooster brings more than four decades of public service experience to the nomination, having begun his career in the US Army and Army Reserve before serving as a civil servant and Foreign Service officer.
He said he had led teams at nine US missions around the world and held senior leadership positions in Washington.
“If confirmed, I look forward to bringing the depth of my diplomatic and military experience to the US partnership with Kenya,” he said.
His nomination now awaits consideration through the US Senate confirmation process.
