New US Ambassador Kyle McCarter's Special Links with Kenya

President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced that Illinois state Senator Kyle McCarter would replace Robert Godec as the new United States ambassador to Kenya.

McCarter will officially assume office after approval by the United States Senate.

Godec has held the prestigious position since 2012, when he was appointed by then US President Barrack Obama and is the longest serving Washington top representative in the Kenya's history.

“I welcome President Donald J. Trump’s nomination of Illinois State Senator Kyle McCarter to be the next U.S ambassador to Kenya,” Godec said in a statement from the U.S Embassy in Nairobi on Thursday.

"One of the greatest privileges of my life has been to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Kenya and to help deepen the special relationship between the two countries,” he said.

Godec described his 5-year term as successful, adding that he is confident that the progress in healthcare, security, governance among others, achieved during his tenure will continue.

“Kenya holds a special place in my heart. I offer a warm Asanteni Sana to the Kenyan Government, Kenyan people and my embassy colleagues,” he added.

McCarter has special links and a long history with Kenya, which could be the reason President Trump identified him as the best candidate to succeed ambassador Godec.

The politician, together with his wife Victoria McCarter are conversant with Kenyan culture, having stayed in the country for long and can fluently converse in Swahili, the country's national language.

Kyle and Victoria both worked in Kenya for more than three decades through their foundation- Each1Feed1 International Charity-which has an office at Mukothima, in Tharaka Nithi County.

The organisation helps orphaned, abused and abandoned children as well as providing medication to HIV and Malaria patients.

Last year, seven Republican congressmen among them Mike Bost (Murphsyboro), John Shimkus (Collinsville) and Rodney Davis of Taylorville wrote to President Trump vouching for McCarter to be nominated as the next US ambassador to Kenya.

“Hono (u)r to be asked to represent Pres Trump & USA in country I have lived & served,” Kyle said in a tweet after his nomination.

“Look forward to closer relationship benefiting both our nations. Left legacy of hono(u)ring God, serving others & saving lives of children in Kenya.”