Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has revealed that Kenya has committed KSh140 billion in domestic resources to support the ongoing expansion of the United Nations Office in Nairobi.
The DP described the investment as a demonstration of the country’s solid commitment to elevating Nairobi’s status as a global diplomatic hub.
Kindiki made the disclosure on Wednesday, June 10 when he hosted the President of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, who paid him a courtesy call at the Harambee Annex Office in Nairobi.
“The Government of Kenya has invested USD 1.1 billion of local resources into matching infrastructure. This massive state investment has fundamentally upgraded the road networks, security frameworks, and sustainable utility systems around the Gigiri diplomatic enclave, aligning the campus with global net-zero climate goals,” Kindiki said.
The investment complements the UN’s own KSh44 billion allocations toward the UNON Expansion Project.
Through the programme, Nairobi, which currently hosts the United Nations Environment Programme and UN-Habitat, will become home to three additional agencies, which is, UNICEF, the UN Population Fund, and UN Women.
Kindiki said Kenya views the UN’s decision to expand in Nairobi as a vote of confidence in the country, and expressed ambitions for the city to achieve full parity with UN headquarters in the Global North.
“Nairobi offers the global community a highly competitive, low-cost duty station backed by aggressive public investment. The elevation of UNON’s operational and diplomatic status to achieve true parity with UN Headquarters in the Global North will fulfil the promise of equitable geographic representation,” he said.
Baerbock commended Kenya for its unwavering support of the UN, describing the expansion as a direct reflection of that partnership.
“The coming of more agencies to Nairobi proves the attractiveness of Nairobi and Kenya, and the UN is looking forward to increasing this global partnership,” she said, adding that the role of Kenya and Africa is critical to the UN’s future.
