In February 2025, the Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, confirmed a decision by the UN to relocate to Nairobi. This followed discussions with the President of the 79th UN General Assembly, Philemon Young.
This symbolic shift positions Nairobi as a central hub for global diplomacy and humanitarian efforts in Africa. According to the Business Daily, it expects at least 800 staff to relocate to Nairobi, creating a demand for housing and other expected socioeconomic benefits.
History of the UN in Kenya
The relocation is a historic move that is preceded by the establishment of the first UN office in Kenya in 1973 (UNEP), closely followed by the UN-Habitat in 1978.
In a press briefing in February 2025, Zainab Hawa Bangura, the Director General of the UN Nairobi offices, confirmed that Nairobi currently hosts 86 UN offices, with 73 located within the Gigiri complex.
Underscoring Nairobi’s growing prominence as a key diplomatic and international hub, noting the rapid expansion of UN duty stations in the city. She also referenced the significant growth of staff from 300 to 6,500 and 11,000 dependents since the first office was opened.
Why is the UN Relocating Its Offices to Nairobi?
Kenya’s strategic geographical location is a gateway for regional and international trade and is considered as the economic heartbeat of East and Central Africa. With a robust infrastructure and a growing middle class, Nairobi has cemented its role as a diplomatic and operational hub for the global South, driven by its regional influence.
Set to complete the move by late 2026, Nairobi will become one of 4 cities globally that host multiple UN headquarters. On June 26th, 2025, it will mark 80 years since the UN Charter was signed before it officially came into force on October 24th, 1945.
As part of the UN at 80 reform agenda, it seeks to decentralize its operations from high-cost cities to more affordable and strategically located regions. Key agencies, including the United Nations Women (UN Women), United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), are some of the entities set for the shift.
This is meant to solve the challenge of overlapping mandates while increasing efficient use of resources and consistent delivery of services by being closer to the people it serves.
Is the Relocation of UN Offices a good or bad move for Kenyans?
From an uptick in the housing market trends to underlying macroeconomic drivers like employment opportunities, this move signals long-term benefits for Kenyans.
The significant shift from New York to Nairobi gestures an increased demand for quality housing, rental units, and long-term investment opportunities in Nairobi’s thriving real estate market.
Backed by a $340 million investment that includes major infrastructure upgrades at the UN Complex, it is set to feature a 9,000-seat assembly hall, the first facility of its kind built for UN General Assembly functions outside of New York since 1949.
It also includes 30 new state-of-the-art conference rooms, which position Nairobi as one of the most advanced UN hubs globally, matching Geneva and New York in terms of scale and capacity.
The planned expansion of such facilities is geared for a highly expected number of guests and dignitaries annually, increasing the demand for hospitality and residential properties.
The potential resurgence in demand for diplomatic-grade residences, highly secure gated communities, and upscale rental properties offers invaluable incentives for investors and developers seeking to diversify existing portfolios.
By tailoring to the needs of international staff and their families in Nairobi’s prime real estate zones, investors can expect increased rental yields and high occupancy rates. This also means a heightened demand for conference facilities, new office spaces, and NGO-oriented co-working spaces.
Do you think Nairobi is ready for this move?
References
Nairobi to host three new global UN offices