Experienced diplomat Eric Kneedler assumed the office of US Ambassador to Kenya on Wednesday 20th January 2020, just moments after Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States of America.
Kneedler takes over from Kyle McCarter, who resigned from the position after the coming of a new administration. McCarter was appointed by the outgoing President Donald Trump in 2019.
He started his diplomatic role in Nairobi in 2017 as the Counselor for Political Affairs. Kneedler also served as the Counselor for Political Affairs at the US embassy.
According to the US Embassy to Kenya office, Kneedler previously served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Nairobi from April of 2019 until January of 2021.
He holds a B.A. from Pomona College and a M.A. in International Affairs from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
He promised to work closely with the Kenyan government in various sectors in the country.
“Vipi waKenya! I’m Eric Kneedler, starting tonight I’ll be Chargé d’Affaires ad interim @USEmbassyKenya. Let’s continue to engage on matters #USKEPartnership and build on our over 55 years of friendship on security, health, education, trade and so much more,” Kneedler announced in his official tweet.
Eric who previously served as the Counselor for Political Affairs at the US Embassy in Manila and the Deputy Political Counselor at the US Embassy in Bangkok. Previous assignments include tours in Jakarta, Hong Kong, the State Department’s Operations Center and the Bureau of European Affairs.
