Meet Henry Wooster, the Diplomat Tapped to Replace Meg Whitman as US Ambassador to Kenya

                                                      Henry Wooster Profile

Henry Wooster Biography

President Donald Trump has nominated veteran diplomat Henry Wooster to serve as the next United States Ambassador to Kenya, a career foreign service officer with more than three decades of experience.

The nomination was transmitted to the U.S. Senate on June 1, 2026. If confirmed, Wooster will succeed former ambassador Meg Whitman, who stepped down in 2024 after two years in the role.

Wooster is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service and currently serves as Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Before that, he was Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, helping oversee U.S. policy in the Middle East and North Africa.

Career

One of the highlights of Wooster’s diplomatic career was his service as U.S. Ambassador to Jordan from September 2020 to July 2023. Jordan is a key U.S. ally in the Middle East, and Wooster played a central role in managing bilateral relations during his tenure.

Prior to becoming an ambassador, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Maghreb and Egypt, overseeing relations with several North African countries.

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His diplomatic experience includes important roles such as Deputy Chief of Mission in Paris, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Political Counselor in Islamabad, and Director for Central Asia at the National Security Council.

Wooster has also held several positions focused on Iran and regional security, including Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Iran, Director of the Office of Iranian Affairs and Deputy Director of the Office of Provincial Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

Military Service and Education

Before joining the Foreign Service in 1991, Wooster served as an officer in the U.S. Army, including service with the Army Special Forces.

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He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Amherst College and a Master of Arts degree from Yale University.

Potential Role in Kenya

If confirmed by the Senate, Wooster will become the next U.S. ambassador to Kenya.

Kenya is a major U.S. ally in East Africa, with the two countries working together on trade, security, counterterrorism, technology and regional diplomatic issues. Wooster’s nomination now awaits Senate approval before he can assume the role.

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Henry Wooster , nominated US Ambassandor to Kenya. Photo/ Henry Wooster