President William Ruto and United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres have led a groundbreaking ceremony for a major expansion of the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON).

The ceremony, which was held on Monday, May 11, 2026, was attended by key government officials, including the Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who described the project as a landmark moment.

“Nairobi today reinforced its place at the heart of global diplomacy and climate action during a landmark moment at the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON),” Mudavadi stated.

According to the government, the new UN Conference Facilities Project serves as a milestone that reinforces Kenya’s growing role as a global centre for multilateral diplomacy, climate action and international cooperation.

Since joining the United Nations in 1963, Kenya has continued to strengthen Nairobi’s standing as home to UNEP, UNHABITAT and more than 70 UN agencies, funds and programmes.

Hence, the government explained that the expansion and modernisation of UNON reflects a shared commitment to building a more effective and responsive United Nations system in advancing peace, sustainable development and climate resilience.

Gigiri Project

The Gigiri project, approved by the United Nations member states in December 2023, would cost $340 million (nearly Ksh.43.8 billion).

The project includes a major upgrade of the conference facilities at UNON, which will cost $265.6 million (nearly Ksh.34.3 billion) and an upgrade of office blocks to the tune of USD74.5million (nearly Ksh.9.6 billion). 

UN Under-Secretary-General and Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi, Mrs Zainab Hawa Bangura, has termed the project a defining moment for the United Nations in Africa. 

“This investment aligns our presence with where global challenges — and solutions — are increasingly concentrated. Nairobi is not only a host city; it is a strategic centre for delivering the United Nations’ work in the 21st century,” she said ahead of the Secretary General’s Nairobi visit. 

The UN General Assembly, in resolution 78/253, approved changes to enable infrastructure development at the UNON complex in Gigiri.

The UN states that the Conference Facility Project (CFP) aims to enhance Nairobi’s ability to host large, high-level global meetings, increasing meeting capacity from the current 2,000 to 9,000 participants. 16 more meeting rooms will be constructed to add to the existing 14, and an Assembly Hall with a capacity for 1600 participants will be constructed.