NAIROBI, Kenya — The expansion and modernisation of the United Nations Office at Nairobi is expected to firmly position Nairobi as a premier global hub for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE), President William Ruto has said.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony for the expanded UN Office at Nairobi Assembly Hall in Gigiri, alongside UN Secretary-General António Guterres, President Ruto reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to strengthening the UN’s operational presence in the country.
Strategic Investment in Global Diplomacy Infrastructure
President Ruto announced that the government is investing $1.1 billion (KSh143 billion) to support Nairobi’s broader infrastructure upgrade programme. The investment covers key areas including:
- Road network expansion and improvement
- Enhanced street lighting systems
- Regeneration of the Nairobi River ecosystem
- ICT systems security upgrades
- Operationalisation of a UN One-Stop Shop
He said the initiative is designed to ensure Nairobi remains a competitive and efficient host city for global institutions.
“This investment affirms Nairobi’s role as the UN headquarters in the Global South, a centre of international diplomacy and a symbol of global cooperation,” President Ruto said.
Strengthening Kenya’s Global Conference Standing
The President emphasized that the modernisation of the UN campus will elevate Kenya’s status alongside other major UN hubs worldwide, enabling it to better support multilateral diplomacy and international cooperation.
He also highlighted parallel national efforts to upgrade conferencing infrastructure, including the modernisation of the Bomas of Kenya Convention Complex, aimed at reinforcing Kenya’s position as a leading destination for international meetings and events.
New UN Facilities Inaugurated
During the visit, President Ruto and Secretary-General Guterres also inaugurated a newly completed United Nations office block within the Gigiri complex. The development forms part of the broader expansion plan aimed at improving efficiency, service delivery, and coordination among UN agencies operating in Nairobi.
Kenya has increasingly positioned Nairobi as a diplomatic and multilateral centre in Africa, hosting several UN agencies and international organisations. The latest expansion is expected to further strengthen this role, while also boosting the country’s hospitality, transport, and service sectors.
President Ruto concluded that Kenya remains committed to deepening its partnership with the United Nations as Nairobi continues its transformation into a global centre of diplomacy and cooperation.
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