Today I announce the appointment of Mr Luke Williams as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Kenya. Mr Williams will also be accredited to Burundi, Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania and Uganda.
Australia values its close cooperation with Kenya and shared commitment to the international rules-based order. We look forward to working closely with Kenya during its United Nations Security Council term.
Australia enjoys warm relations with East African countries through our shared membership of the Commonwealth, World Trade Organisation and Indian Ocean Rim Association. We look forward to Rwanda hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting next year.
We have strong commercial relationships across the region, including through Australian companies’ investment in the mining and energy sectors. We look forward to expanding our trade and investment links, including in agriculture and education.
Mr Williams is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and was most recently the Chief Security Officer. He has previously served overseas as Ambassador to Portugal; as well as serving in Bangkok, Cape Town and Pretoria.
Mr Williams holds a Master of Arts (History) from Latrobe University; and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from Monash University.
I thank outgoing High Commissioner Alison Chartres for her contributions to advancing Australia’s interests in Kenya since 2017.
