Britain appoints new envoy to Kenya

The British government has appointed a new high commissioner to Kenya.

Dr Christian Turner will succeed Mr Rob Macaire whose tour of duty ended in October last year.

He has since left the UK diplomatic service, a statement posted on the high commission’s website read.

Dr Turner is expected to take up his appointment in June this year.

“I am honoured to have the opportunity to serve in Kenya at such a pivotal period,” said Dr Turner in the statement.

“I will do all I can to deepen the strong and historic ties between our two countries, and to bring energy and experience to further our shared political, economic and security objectives,” he went on.

Before he takes over office, Dr Peter Tibber will continue as the interim High Commissioner.

Dr Tibber said in November last year that he would be in Kenya for six to eight months before taking up another diplomatic post in the region.

The new High Commissioner is currently the director for the Middle East and North Africa in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, where he is responsibile for all UK policy and operations in that region.

Prior to this, he served variously in the British Embassy in Washington, as Private Secretary to the Prime Minister and in the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit.

This followed work in television and completion of his PhD research.

He is married to Claire and they have a son and a daughter.

FACT FILE:

Full name: Dr Christian Philip Hollier Turner

Married to: Mrs Claire Turner

Children: Two