The UN plans to set up three new global offices in Kenya by the end of 2026 will solidify Nairobi as a hub for its operations.
The offices are the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations Population Fund, and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.
The presence of the UN in Nairobi dates from the 1970s, starting with the United Nations Environment Programme (Unep) in 1973, the first UN headquarters in the Global South. In 1978, the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements, known as UN Habitat, joined Unep in Nairobi. Today, 23 UN agencies operate from Nairobi.
No doubt, if Kenya succeeds in securing the support of other countries, it will be a privilege to host five offices of the global institution. However, this isn’t just about offices and infrastructure.
The question isn’t if Kenya can host the UN offices and deliver. It is about crafting a strategy that will define how Kenya engages with its citizens (75 percent are under 35), with the global diplomacy and development community and with the world.
The relocation of three UN offices from New York to Nairobi will bring 800 additional staff. When the Unep was set up, there were only 300 staff, a number that has grown to 6,500. Nairobi duty station is the fastest growing in the UN.
In my opinion, there is a three-pronged interlinked strategy that Kenya must prioritise to effectively host additional UN offices.
Main functions
Kenya should be able to support the United Nations offices to carry out their main functions which can be summarised in six activity areas, maintain international peace and security, protect human rights and deliver humanitarian aid.
Other functions include supporting sustainable development and climate action, promoting the well-being of the peoples of the world and achieving international cooperation to solve international problems.
The country must put all the requisite facilities at the disposal of the United Nations offices so that they can run as world-class organisations.
There must be robust economic and social growth in Kenya’s capability to host UN offices in terms of human resources, supply chain and development delivery.
At the same time, Kenya must strengthen leadership in regional and global affairs, sharpen diplomatic strategies and lead by example, working alongside other countries and international partners to create a sustainable, equitable and resilient world.
As a host and being part of the global community allows Kenya to shape the future we want now and for future generations.
Equally important, the United Nations global offices would bring economic benefits to Nairobi. This includes creating thousands of jobs and providing critical employment opportunities for Nairobians. Rentals and hotels will also experience an uptick in demand. Restaurants and businesses in different sectors including transport, retail and service will also thrive.
To effectively host the United Nations global offices, Nairobi must work on its resilience, vitality and abilities to create world-class opportunities that generate economic benefits.
