The United Nations (UN) has appointed Dr. Garry Conille as the new Resident Coordinator in Kenya, marking a key leadership change in the organization’s operations in the country.

The appointment was made by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, with Conille set to take over from Dr. Stephen Jackson, who has held the position since 2021 and will now be deployed to China.

In a statement, the UN said Conille brings more than two decades of experience in international development, humanitarian work and public administration.

His appointment followed approval by the Government of Kenya, in line with UN procedures.

As Resident Coordinator, Conille will serve as the Secretary-General’s representative and lead efforts to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while coordinating UN activities in the country.

Conille is no stranger to the role, having previously served as Resident Coordinator in Jamaica in 2020 and in Burundi between 2017 and 2020.

He has also worked extensively with UN agencies and non-governmental organisations, beginning his career with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Haiti.

The former Haitian Prime Minister is also familiar with Kenya, having interacted with the country’s leadership during his time in office.

His tenure as Haiti’s Prime Minister came during a period of political tension and insecurity marked by gang violence and institutional challenges.

“This resolution, taken outside any legal and constitutional framework, raises serious concerns about its legitimacy,” the BBC quoted Conille’s response on his dismissal.

Conille now assumes the position as the highest-ranking representative of the UN Development System in Kenya, where he is expected to strengthen partnerships with the government, civil society, and development partners.