Kenya is set to host three new global offices of the United Nations by the end of next year, further establishing Nairobi as a vital hub for UN operations.
The world’s largest recognized international organization plans to introduce offices for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF), and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women).
During a consultative meeting at the office of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, it was highlighted that Kenya’s strategic location as a regional logistics and financial centre provides significant advantages in supporting the UN’s essential role in multilateral diplomacy and advancing key global and regional priorities.
“We are working very closely, and Kenya is looking forward for UN’s support with a commitment to make Nairobi a very critical hub for the UN’s operations both in the country, regionally and across the globe.” said Mudavadi.
“Kenya will be leveraging on the UN’s existing presence in the country and the opportunities presented by its operations in the greater horn, east and central Africa sub-regions.” added Mudavadi.
This initiative will complement the two current global offices— the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN-HABITAT, both headquartered in Nairobi.
Mudavadi emphasised that the government is engaging with various stakeholders to ensure the establishment of a conducive environment with all necessary legal frameworks in place for the success of this initiative.
He made these remarks at his Railways HQ office while hosting the visiting President of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Philemon Yang, for a high-level consultative meeting on Wednesday.
“I want to thank the government of Kenya for receiving the United Nations here in Nairobi. I have heard and personally seen many things happening from both sides and the collaboration and partnership on the Kenyan side is tremendous.” said Yang.
The meeting brought together key representatives from the United Nations Nairobi offices, led by the Director-General of the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON),
Zainab Bangura, along with senior Kenyan government officials, including Principal Secretaries Korir Sing’Oei (Foreign Affairs), Joseph Mbugua (Roads), Julius Koris (Water), and Aurelia Rono (Parliamentary Affairs), among others.
Bangura noted that the Kenyan government has played an instrumental role in fostering the growth of UN operations, praising both the current administration and previous governments for recognising the mutual benefits of the programmes run by the UN in Kenya.
She emphasized that as the world approaches the 2030 deadlines and begins setting the agenda for 2063, Kenya’s experience highlights the importance of collective action both domestically and globally to ensure that progress is inclusive and sustainable.
She noted that the path ahead will require ongoing innovation, resilience, and cooperation to achieve a more sustainable and equitable future for all.
“The Nairobi duty station is the fastest growing duty station in the United Nations, and it is the only duty station progressively recording a steady growth. As we speak, we have 86 UN offices in Kenya, 73 in Gigiri in the capital city Nairobi. When the UNEP was set-up, we had only 300 staff, now we are boasting of 6,500 staff, 11,000 families and dependents.” she acknowledged.
“With the support of the United Nations, Kenya’s Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals is being realized as we are making progressive strides in healthcare, education, gender equality and climate action among other support programs.” said Mudavadi.
The establishment of new global offices will strengthen UN operations, reaffirming Kenya’s leadership in regional and global affairs since it became a Member State of the United Nations on 16th December 1963, shortly after attaining independence.
Nairobi has been recognized as the heart of an innovative effort that is transforming the operational landscape of the United Nations in the region.
Mudavadi pointed out that through collaboration and with the UN’s support, Kenya can achieve significant progress not only for its economic growth and the well-being of its citizens but also for the benefit of the region and the world.
“Apart from the UN, we are seeing other entities wanting to come to Kenya. We are already receiving a fairly rapid line of requests, from other international agencies including non-governmental bodies, that would want to relocate and have their centers come to Nairobi.” pointed out Mudavadi.
“What I have noted is something invisible, which I found out to be the positive and proper attitude whose efforts are great, and I foresee a great future with great things and miracles happening through this partnership. Coming and reasoning together is the way into the future.” Said Yang.
The Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi revealed that at the 2030 UN General Assembly, a special request will be made to elevate Kenya’s status, aiming to position Nairobi competitively alongside Geneva and New York.
“We will be investing 340m dollars in upgrading the infrastructure and one of the investments is building an Assembly Hall, the 1st assembly hall, the UN General Assembly is building since 1949. Once the project is concluded, if called upon and required, Kenya will then be in a position to hold a UN General Assembly because they will be having the infrastructure in place. We are going to have a 9,000, sitting capacity, which is at par with New York and Geneva and we are going to have 30 conference meeting rooms.” Baranga explained.
The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organisation aimed at maintaining international peace and security, fostering friendly relations among nations, promoting international cooperation, and serving as a hub for coordinating the actions of its member states.
The UN headquarters is located in New York City, within an area of international territory that enjoys certain privileges extraterritorial to the United States. The organisation also has offices in Geneva, Nairobi, Vienna, and The Hague, where the International Court of Justice is based at the Peace Palace.
The UN advocates for the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals, which represent a global call to action to eradicate poverty, protect the environment and climate, and ensure that all people can enjoy peace and prosperity.
In Kenya, the UN is working to achieve goals such as zero hunger and poverty, quality and affordable education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, decent work and economic growth, industry, innovation and infrastructure, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, life below water, life on land, peace, justice, and strong institutions, as well as partnerships for common goals.
