The expansion project to run for the next seven years is contained in proposals presented to the UN General Assembly last week by Secretary-General António Guterres.
Once approved, the $69.9 million project will start in early 2018 and run to the end of 2024, uplifting blocks A-J of the UN Offices in Nairobi.
The project could cement Kenya’s hold on to the UN centre, having initially haggled with key Western countries on whether to relocate some of the offices to Europe.
The United Nations has announced an ambitious Sh7 billion facelift of its offices in Nairobi to be in line with environmental regulations, accommodate more staff and ease accessibility for people with disabilities.
The expansion project to run for the next seven years is contained in proposals presented to the UN General Assembly last week by Secretary-General António Guterres and will focus on upgrading the structures that have hosted diplomats for the last three decades in Gigiri.
Once approved, the $69.9 million project will start in early 2018 and run to the end of 2024, uplifting blocks A-J of the UN Offices in Nairobi.
The project could cement Kenya’s hold on to the UN centre, having initially haggled with key Western countries on whether to relocate some of the offices to Europe.
It provides administrative and other support services to the United Nations Environment Programme (Unep) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).
The upgrade follows a 2015 feasibility study that reviewed the ability of the structures at the Gigiri Complex to withstand earthquakes, meet environmental needs and the economic use of available space on the 143-acre piece of land that hosts the largest UN office in Africa.
The expansion, says the UN chief, will see office blocks replaced or modernised to comply with the organisation’s own environmental policies as well as ensure safety for empolyees.
The proposal tabled before the UN members says the project is meant to ensure “local and international building regulations regarding industrial health and safety.”
Specifically, it is supposed to provide pathways and facilities for people with disabilities, to be in line with the UN’s policy for universal service without discrimination.
In addition, the UN boss said the expansion will include instruments that will ensure “efficiency and sustainability in energy consumption” an indication that the UN body wants to lead from the front when it comes to green energy.
The UN first set up shop in Nairobi in 1975 when the then government of Jomo Kenyatta donated the 143 acres in Gigiri, to set up representatives offices.
