The Director General of the United Nations Office of Nairobi (UNON) Zainab Bangura announced that the scheduled expansion of the offices will cost Ksh38.8 billion (USD267 million).
This revelation comes after the UN General Assembly approved the financing of the project in 2023. It is also boosted by the contributions from member states including Kenya which donated land.
Bangura, speaking at the Sixth Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly, added that this expansion was necessary since it hosts a large number of individuals for international conferences.
"Within the last few years, the Secretary-General has been presenting to the General Assembly annual report to address the deteriorating condition and limited capacity of conference facilities at the UNON," she remarked.
This expansion is expected to enhance the office's efficiency significantly. It will encompass a 9,000-capacity conference centre alongside state-of-the-art office spaces.
Additionally, the upgraded facilities will comprise lounges, a visitors' entry pavilion, a visitors' centre, a delegate dining building, a media centre, and a multi-functional pavilion.
According to Bangura, the project will commence in 2025 and is expected to be completed in 2030. The design services have been awarded to an international consortium led by a South African firm and a Kenyan partner.
When completed, it will be the largest project UNON has undertaken and the largest undertaken by the UN in Africa.
President Wiliam Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua have been championing this expansion which would ensure the office serves more Kenyans.
President Ruto, in September 2022 during the UN General Assembly, announced that the government would avail more land for the facility's upgrade.
"In keeping with its strong commitment to multilateral institutions, Kenya has made available more land for the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON) to facilitate the upgrading of its complex. I take this opportunity to call on the Member States to complement this contribution through enhanced financing to adequately modernize the UNON facilities," he stated.
On his part, Gachagua noted that since the facility had increased its role from just hosting UNEP it needed to be expanded.
