Nairobi is on the cusp of a diplomatic and infrastructural transformation as the United Nations undertakes massive expansion works at its Gigiri complex, solidifying Kenya’s place among the world’s top multilateral hubs.
Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi on Monday inspected the ongoing upgrades at the 140-acre UN facility, which include state-of-the-art office blocks and the construction of a 9,000-seat assembly hall — part of a $340 million investment to strengthen Nairobi’s hosting capacity for global conferences and agency operations.
“This expansion is not only physical,” Mudavadi said, “It embodies the vision set forth in Kenya’s Foreign Policy framework. It enhances our ability to engage meaningfully on the global stage while boosting employment and economic activity.”
Under the sweeping UN80 reform agenda launched in March 2025, Nairobi has been chosen to host three new global headquarters: UNICEF, UNFPA, and UN Women, joining the existing UNEP and UN-Habitat. This move elevates Nairobi to elite status, alongside New York, Geneva, and Vienna, as one of just four cities worldwide with multiple UN agency bases.
An estimated 800 additional UN staff are expected in the country by 2026, spurring job creation, service industry growth, and deeper international engagement.
The UN’s decentralisation strategy is aimed at relocating some operations to more affordable, strategic locations. While Rwanda and Botswana are also under consideration for future offices, Kenya’s advanced infrastructure and geopolitical standing give it a notable edge.
The announcement comes as Nairobi hosts AMCEN-20, the 20th Ordinary Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment — marking four decades of African environmental cooperation.
