Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Ababu Namwamba has said that his immediate focus is to strengthen the UN organisation’s presence in the country as well as across Africa and the global south.
In a statement announcing his official commencement of duties, Ababu said that just like he did when he served in the Ministry of Sports, he will take a similar approach for effective service delivery.
“My focus is to help strengthen the UN presence in Kenya/Africa/Global South and ensure the people of Kenya feel the presence of the United Nations in real terms.
“I left an indelible mark at my last public duty station. My enduring legacy that has transformed Kenyan sports includes getting FIFA to lift the ban on Kenyan football, securing the rights to host CHAN 2025 and AFCON 2027 in East Africa, triggering a deliberate, intentional and structured talent nurturing pipeline, and initiating an unprecedented sports infrastructure upgrading programme. Kenyans should expect a similar midas touch at UNON and UNEP, delivered by intellectual nous, relentless hands-on focus, unflinching attention to detail, all-encompassing teamwork and integrity. Watch this space. For God, County and the World,” he said.
His statement came after he presented his credentials and held talks with UNON Director General H.E Zainab Hawa Bangura.
He also met staff of the Kenyan Mission to UNON and UNEP.
President William Ruto nominated Ababu Namwamba as the Permanent Representative of Kenya to the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) in December 2024.
He would be approved by Parliament after vetting in January.
Nairobi is one of only four UN headquarters in the world, alongside New York, Geneva and Vienna and the only United Nations headquarters in Africa and the global south.
UNON services 86 UN agencies across 166 countries, has the largest complex of all UN offices in the world, and is the fastest growing duty station. As the home to UNEP and UN-Habitat, Nairobi is also the environment capital of the world.
