United States Ambassador to Kenya
Encyclopedia
After Kenya's independence on December 12, 1963, the United States immediately recognized
the new nation and moved to establish diplomatic relations
. The embassy in Nairobi
was established December 12, 1963—Kenya’s independence day—with Laurence C. Vass as chargé d'affaires
ad interim
pending the appointment of an ambassador.
Diplomatic recognition
Diplomatic recognition in international law is a unilateral political act with domestic and international legal consequences, whereby a state acknowledges an act or status of another state or government in control of a state...
the new nation and moved to establish diplomatic relations
Diplomacy
Diplomacy is the art and practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of groups or states...
. The embassy in Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
was established December 12, 1963—Kenya’s independence day—with Laurence C. Vass as chargé d'affaires
Chargé d'affaires
In diplomacy, chargé d’affaires , often shortened to simply chargé, is the title of two classes of diplomatic agents who head a diplomatic mission, either on a temporary basis or when no more senior diplomat has been accredited.-Chargés d’affaires:Chargés d’affaires , who were...
ad interim
Ad interim
The Latin phrase ad interim literally means "in the time between" denotes the meaning of "in the meantime", "for an intervening time" or "temporarily" in the English language...
pending the appointment of an ambassador.
Ambassadors
- William AttwoodWilliam AttwoodWilliam Hollingsworth Attwood was an American journalist, author, editor and diplomat.Born in Paris, France, he received his education at Choate Rosemary Hall and Princeton University, editing The Daily Princetonian and later serving as a Princeton trustee...
– Political appointee- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: February 20, 1964
- Presented credentials: March 2, 1964
- Terminated mission: left post, May 1, 1966
- Glenn W. FergusonGlenn W. FergusonGlenn W. Ferguson was an American diplomat and university president. He was the United States Ambassador to Kenya from 1966-1969 and the President of several universities, including Clark University and the American University of Paris...
– Political appointee- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: September 16, 1966
- Presented credentials: November 4, 1966
- Terminated mission: Left post, April 7, 1969
- Robinson McIlvaineRobinson McIlvaineRobinson McIlvaine was a career US diplomat who was President of the African Wildlife Foundation from 1978 to 1982.-Early years:McIlvaine was born in Downingtown, Pennsylvania in 1913. He graduated from Harvard College....
– Career FSO- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: September 15, 1969
- Presented credentials: September 30, 1969
- Terminated mission: Left post, April 4, 1973
- Anthony D. MarshallAnthony Dryden MarshallAnthony Dryden Marshall is an American theatrical producer who is a former U.S. Marine, C.I.A. intelligence officer, and ambassador. He also is the former vice president of the Vincent Astor Foundation, which was established by his stepfather, Vincent Astor...
– Political appointee- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: December 19, 1973
- Presented credentials: January 22, 1974
- Terminated mission: Left post, April 26, 1977
- Wilbert John LeMelle – Political appointee
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: May 11, 1977
- Presented credentials: August 10, 1977
- Terminated mission: Left post, June 28, 1980
- William Caldwell HarropWilliam Caldwell HarropWilliam Caldwell Harrop served as US Ambassador to Guinea , Kenya , Seychelles and Israel ....
– Career FSO- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: May 23, 1980
- Presented credentials: July 10, 1980
- Terminated mission: September 1, 1983
- Gerald Eustis ThomasGerald Eustis ThomasGerald Eustis Thomas , is an American diplomatwho served as the United States Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Guyana in 1981 and Kenya in 1983.Thomas is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity-References:...
– Political appointee- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: October 7, 1983
- Presented credentials: November 9, 1983
- Terminated mission: Left post, September 29, 1989
- Elinor Greer Constable – Career FSO
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: October 16, 1986
- Presented credentials: December 11, 1986
- Terminated mission: Left post, September 29, 1989
- Smith Hempstone, Jr. – Political appointee
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: November 6, 1989
- Presented credentials: December 7, 1989
- Terminated mission: Left post, February 26, 1993
- Aurelia Erskine Brazeal – Career FSO
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: August 9, 1993
- Presented credentials: September 21, 1993
- Terminated mission: Left post, September 11, 1996
- Prudence BushnellPrudence BushnellPrudence Bushnell is an American diplomat and former United States Ambassador to Kenya and Guatemala. -Early life and career:...
– Career FSO- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: June 11, 1996
- Presented credentials: September 2, 1996
- Terminated mission: Left post May 22, 1999
- Johnnie Carson – Career FSO
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: July 7, 1999
- Presented credentials: September 23, 1999
- Terminated mission: July 6, 2003
- William M. Bellamy – Career FSO
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: April 16, 2003
- Presented credentials: September 9, 2003
- Terminated mission: Left post June 25, 2006
- Michael RannebergerMichael RannebergerMichael E. Ranneberger is a former United States Ambassador to Kenya. He was confirmed by congress on June 29, 2006 and began field duties on August 11, 2006. He left his post in May, 2011. He was also responsible for U.S. relations with Somalia. Mr. Ranneberger served as the Senior Representative...
– Career FSO- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: June 28, 2006
- Presented credentials: August 2006
- Terminated mission: Unknown
- Scott GrationScott GrationJonathan Scott Gration is a retired Major General of the United States Air Force, who worked as a policy advisor to President Barack Obama. On March 18, 2009, Gration was named, and served, as the United States Special Envoy to Sudan. President Obama announced his intent to nominate General...
– Political appointee- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: April 18, 2011
- Presented credentials: Unknown
- Terminated mission: Incumbent
See also
- Kenya – United States relations
- Foreign relations of KenyaForeign relations of KenyaKenya maintains a neutral profile in global politics. It has excellent relations with China, India, Russia and Brazil. Its relations with Western countries are generally friendly, although current political and economic instabilities are often blamed on Western activities Kenya maintains a neutral...
- Ambassadors of the United States