President Donald J Trump on Wednesday indicated he would replace Robert Godec who has been serving as the country’s ambassador to Kenya with former Illinois Senator Kyle McCarter.
McCarter is now awaiting US Senate’s approval for his appointment.
Godec has been serving in Kenya since September 2012 when he was appointed by former US President Barrack Obama.
He is the longest serving US ambassador in the country’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 yesterday from the U.S Embassy.
McCarter, however, has several unique qualities which may have led to his nomination by Trump to be Kenya’s next envoy after he declined to vie for another term a year ago according to US media.
The former Illinois Senator together with his wife Victoria McCarter can fluently converse in Swahili.
They have both worked in Kenya for more than 30 years through their foundation Each1Feed1 International Charity with an office at Mukothima, in Tharaka Nithi County which helps orphaned, abused and abandoned children. It also provides those with HIV and Malaria treatment.
On May 11, 2017, seven Republican congressmen including Mike Bost (Murphsyboro), John Shimkus (Collinsville) and Rodney Davis of Taylorville wrote to Trump requesting him to nominate McCarter and the next US ambassador to Kenya.
White House in a statement according to Daily Nation said by virtue of McCarter’s extensive work through Each1Feed1 International Charity based in Lebanon besides Kenya, he is the right choice to fill Godec’s shoes.
McCarter in receiving the news took to twitter where he expressed his gratitude to Trump for considering him for nomination.
“Hono (u)r to be asked to represent Pres Trump & USA in country I have lived & served,” he said.
“Look forward to closer relationship benefiting both our nations. Left legacy of hono(u)ring God, serving others & saving lives of children in Kenya.”
He is expected to have a sitting with the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee in a fortnight for a confirmation hearing according to Belleville News-Democrat.
But even with the good news, McCarter is mourning the death of his father who passed away on Saturday.
“It is bittersweet that I am now preparing for the funeral of my father who leaves a legacy of serving others and saving the lives of thousands of children in Kenya,” he said on his Facebook page.