Ms. Jean Kamau, the newly appointed United Nations Resident Coordinator to Guyana, officially began her mandate after presenting her credentials to His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. The ceremony took place at the Office of the President, marking the start of Ms. Kamau’s tenure as the highest-ranking UN official in the country.
Ms. Kamau, a national of Kenya, succeeds Ms. Yesim Oruç, who served in the same capacity for three years. She brings over 20 years of experience in human rights, women’s rights, peace-building, governance, institutional development and international development. Prior to her appointment in Guyana, Ms. Kamau held various diplomatic roles, including assignments in South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, and Washington DC. She has also worked extensively in the public sector and civil society, notably as Country Director for Action Aid International in Kenya and Lesotho, and as the first Executive Director for the Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya.
Ms. Kamau holds a bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Nairobi and a master’s degree in Democratic Studies from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom.
With her extensive background and expertise, Ms. Kamau is expected to further strengthen the collaboration between the United Nations and Guyana, continuing efforts to support the country’s development goals and international commitments.