NAIROBI, Kenya — U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated veteran career diplomat Henry T. Wooster to serve as the next United States ambassador to Kenya, the White House announced.
The nomination, made on June 1, is subject to confirmation by the U.S. Senate before Wooster can formally assume the diplomatic post in Nairobi.
In a statement, the White House named Wooster as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States to the Republic of Kenya, signalling Washington’s intention to strengthen diplomatic engagement with one of its key partners in East Africa.
“Henry Wooster, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Kenya,” the White House said.
Seasoned diplomat with extensive foreign policy experience
Wooster is widely regarded as one of the U.S. State Department’s most experienced career diplomats, having served in senior diplomatic and national security roles across multiple regions, including the Middle East, Europe, Central Asia and South Asia.
He currently serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Maghreb and Egypt in the State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, where he oversees U.S. engagement with several strategically important countries in North Africa.
His nomination comes at a time when U.S.-Kenya relations remain central to Washington’s broader diplomatic, security and economic interests in East Africa.
Extensive diplomatic postings
Throughout his diplomatic career, Wooster has held several high-profile assignments within the U.S. Foreign Service.
He previously served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Paris, one of Washington’s most significant diplomatic postings in Europe.
He also served as Deputy Chief of Mission and later Charge d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan, where he played a key role in managing bilateral relations during a period of heightened regional security challenges.
His experience further includes service as Political Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, Director for Central Asia at the U.S. National Security Council, and Foreign Policy Advisor to the Commanding General of the U.S. Joint Special Operations Command.
Earlier in his career, Wooster served as Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Iran and headed the State Department’s Office of Iranian Affairs, positions that placed him at the centre of some of Washington’s most complex foreign policy challenges.
Academic and language credentials
Wooster holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Amherst College and a Master of Arts degree from Yale University.
His linguistic abilities are also considered a major asset in diplomacy. According to the U.S. government, he speaks French and Russian fluently and has working knowledge of Arabic, Farsi and Syriac/Aramaic.
Succeeds Meg Whitman
If confirmed by the Senate, Wooster will succeed Meg Whitman, who served as U.S. ambassador to Kenya from August 2022 until her resignation in November 2024 following the U.S. presidential election.
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Whitman’s tenure was marked by deepening U.S.-Kenya cooperation in trade, technology, security and regional diplomacy.
Wooster’s nomination signals the Trump administration’s continued focus on Kenya as a strategic partner in East Africa, particularly in areas such as regional security, economic investment, public health cooperation and counterterrorism efforts.
His appointment is expected to draw close attention in both Washington and Nairobi as the two countries navigate an increasingly complex regional and global diplomatic landscape.
