Susan Burns Takes Charge at US Embassy in Nairobi

Susan M. Burns has officially taken over as the United States Chargé d’Affaires in Kenya, becoming the senior-most American diplomat at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi.

Her appointment follows a period of leadership changes after the resignation of Ambassador Meg Whitman in November 2024. Deputy Chief of Mission Marc Dillard initially stepped in, followed by Carla Benini, who served in an acting capacity for one month. Burns’ arrival restores permanent leadership at the embassy and signals continued US diplomatic engagement in the region.

In a statement issued on 25 August, Burns expressed gratitude for the embassy’s support and said she looked forward to strengthening ties between the United States and Kenya. “I am so happy to be here to continue working to strengthen our relationship with Kenya,” she said. Benini welcomed her successor in a video message that featured both nations’ flags and the Swahili phrase “Karibu, Susan!” 

Burns replied with “Rada wasee,” a Kenyan slang expression, reflecting an informal and culturally aware response.

Burns is a career member of the US Senior Foreign Service with a diplomatic career spanning multiple continents. From 2022 to 2025, she served as Principal Officer in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, leading consular and public diplomacy operations in a complex regional environment. Her previous postings include assignments in Uganda, Nepal, Ghana, Poland, and Taiwan, as well as a senior role in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. 

In 2017, she received the Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Public Diplomacy. She holds a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College and a bachelor’s degree from McGill University. Her new role in Nairobi places her at the head of the largest US embassy in Sub-Saharan Africa.

As Chargé d’Affaires, Burns will oversee US foreign policy efforts in Kenya, coordinate interagency initiatives, and manage cooperation in areas such as health, trade, security, and governance. She is also responsible for the safety and operations of embassy staff and facilities, and for representing the US government to the Kenyan public and officials.

Her appointment comes at a time of growing US–Kenya cooperation in regional diplomacy, counterterrorism, and economic development. Burns’ experience in public diplomacy and her familiarity with East Africa are expected to support continued collaboration between the two countries.