The file photo, taken on May 27, 2019, shows the site of the first session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya. (Xinhua/Lyu Shuai)
On February 19, Kenya announced that the United Nations plans to establish three new global offices in the country by the end of 2026.
According to Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, the new offices will solidify Nairobi’s role as a key hub for UN operations in East Africa.
Mudavadi made the announcement following high-level talks with Philemon Yang, President of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly, during Yang's visit to Nairobi.
The planned offices will join the two existing global UN headquarters in Nairobi:
UN Environment Program (UNEP)
UN Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat)
Mudavadi, who also serves as the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, stated that the establishment of these offices will accelerate the realization of Kenya’s Vision 2030 under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The SDGs align with the UN’s global call to action, supporting key initiatives in areas such as: Eradicating poverty and hunger, ensuring quality and affordable education, advancing gender equality, improving clean water and sanitation and promoting decent work and economic growth.
Others are fostering sustainable cities and communities, encouraging responsible consumption and production, protecting life below water and on land, strengthening peace, justice, and institutions and enhancing global partnerships for sustainable development.
Proposed New UN Offices
The new offices will host programs for:
UN Children's Fund (UNICEF)
UN Population Fund (UNFPA)
UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)
Benefits of the New UN Offices in Kenya
1. Strengthening Kenya’s Role as a UN Evacuation Center
Kenya serves as the UN’s evacuation centre for nine neighbouring countries, including Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan, Burundi ,Tanzania and Yemen.
In times of crisis, UN staff from these countries are relocated to Kenya, meaning Kenya can benefit from the dollars that are sent for upkeep.
With the additional offices, UN will enhance programs aimed
at responding to the needs of evacuees.
2. Boosting Kenya’s financial base
The presence of these new UN offices will further position Kenya as a regional financial hub. With 552 Kenyan banks operating branches across the region, Kenya offers a liberalized financial system that serves as a focal point for economic activity.
Additionally, Kenya’s media industry will benefit, as Nairobi is a growing hub for regional and international media.
The UN offices host numerous conferences annually that see
guests come to Kenya. This boosts the local economy.
3. Enhancing UN operations and Kenya’s global influence
The new offices will reinforce Kenya’s leadership in regional and global affairs, further solidifying its role within the UN since joining the organization on December 16, 1963.
4. Economic impact of the UN in Kenya
The United Nations contributes an estimated $350 million annually to Kenya’s economy—four times more than the country’s foreign exchange earnings from coffee.
Currently, Nairobi hosts 86 UN offices, with 73 located in Gigiri. The UN presence has grown significantly since UNEP’s establishment, from 300 staff members to 6,500 staff and 11,000 dependents today.
To support its expansion, the UN plans to invest $340 million to upgrade infrastructure in Nairobi, including the construction of a new Assembly Hall—the first built by the UN General Assembly since 1949.
