NAIROBI — The United Nations is set to open three new global offices in Nairobi by the end of 2026, in a move that could reshape the city’s diplomatic landscape and deepen its global influence.
Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, speaking during a site tour of the UN complex in Gigiri, said the upgrades would strengthen Nairobi’s position as a trusted host for international dialogue.
“It is inspiring to see how this expansion brings to life the aspirations outlined in Sessional Paper No. 1 of 2025 on Kenya’s Foreign Policy,” Mudavadi said. “This affirms our commitment to multilateral diplomacy and meaningful global engagement from Nairobi.”
The three incoming agencies the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and UN Women are expected to move into newly built offices on the 140-acre site currently undergoing a major facelift.
The site’s renovation includes new office blocks, modern conference facilities, and a planned $340 million investment in a 9,000-seat assembly hall and 30 conference rooms. These developments will bring Nairobi in line with New York, Geneva, and Vienna making it one of only four cities worldwide to host multiple UN headquarters.
The reforms fall under the UN80 Initiative, a global restructuring plan launched in March 2025 by the UN Secretary-General. The goal is to cut down bureaucracy, decentralise operations, and improve delivery by shifting some functions to lower-cost cities. Kigali and Gaborone have also shown interest in hosting UN offices, but Nairobi appears to be ahead.
Mudavadi said Kenya’s infrastructure, logistics, and stable political environment offer a competitive edge. “The UN’s growing footprint here creates jobs, brings in skills, and strengthens our economy through increased spending by staff and their families,” he added.
The additional offices are expected to bring at least 800 more UN employees to Kenya. Local businesses, from transport to housing and hospitality, are likely to benefit from this influx.
The move is also in line with Kenya’s long-held ambition to be the environmental capital of Africa. Nairobi already hosts the headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN-Habitat.
“This development is not just about buildings,” said a senior diplomat familiar with the plan. “It’s about Kenya stepping confidently into its role as a key player in global affairs.”
This week, the Gigiri complex is also playing host to the 20th Ordinary Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), marking 40 years since its founding in Cairo in 1985. The timing, observers note, is symbolic and strategic.
In February, Mudavadi hosted Philemon Yang, President of the 79th UN General Assembly, where both leaders highlighted Nairobi’s growing clout in diplomacy and its potential as a regional centre for finance, peacebuilding, and sustainability.
Kenya’s hosting of more global offices is not without challenges. There are questions about infrastructure pressure, security, and ensuring inclusive local benefits. But for now, the mood in Nairobi is one of cautious optimism.
As Mudavadi put it, “This is a new chapter not just for Kenya, but for the UN’s future in Africa.”
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