By Ed Malik, A | ed@ddnewsonline.com | posted 8th September, 2025
The United Nations’ decision to expand and shift more of its operations to Nairobi is being gleaned as an emerging continental power base and attracting significant comments from diplomatic and geo-political observers, saying portends an innocuous move to gradually recognition of Africa’s prime place in globalization.
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Kenya authorities are already touting this move as endorsement of the country’s steadily rising profile on the global stage. Many observers have noted the increasing and symbolic involvement of Kenya in global politics in the last decade, marketing itself as a stable, strategic and leading voice in regional affairs. Nairobi already stands out as the only UN headquarters in the Global South, hosting UNEP and UN-Habitat. Expanding this presence signals recognition of Africa’s growing role in globalization.
But intrinsic the challenge is whether this expansion of role translates into genuine power-sharing and decision-making for Africa, or whether Nairobi becomes a logistical outpost while real authority remains elsewhere.
In recent years, Kenya has positioned itself as a diplomatic leader, serving on the UN Security Council (2021–2022), mediating in regional conflicts and contributing to global peacekeeping missions, especially its recent event in Haiti operations. The UN’s shift cements Nairobi as a continental voice, further branding Kenya as a trusted player in international affairs.
Geo-political analysts like Nigerian lawyer Mack Ogbamosa, noted that hosting a larger UN footprint isn’t just about prestige; it comes with costs. “Can Kenya, in its current state be able to accommodate the economic, political and arithmetic context that follows such a move?”, he queried.
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Kenya is currently experiencing noticeable strains and internal risks in different sectors. The country is grappling with high living costs, protests and concerns about shrinking civic freedoms. Hosting more UN operations brings prestige but also new pressures comprising economic, political and logistical. The sequel is that Nairobi will be seeing a rise in demand for housing, infrastructure and services with attendant environmental activities on the ecosystem. While the new status may benefit certain businesses, it risks worsening urban inequality and affordability for ordinary Kenyans.
For Kenya, this moment is not just about hosting offices but also, about institutionalizing influence. That means strengthening think its tanks, cultivating policy expertise and training leaders who can lead or shape negotiations at the highest levels. This kind of preparedness is key is Kenya wants to be both landlord and leader.’
The move has not escaped the attention of critics, who see multilateral institutions as vehicles of modern-day imperialism, with priorities set in the West. Moving operations to Nairobi could be gleaned as either another aspect of repackaged colonialism or a step toward “decolonising” global governance by shifting location and perspective. Hence, the imperative for the UN to back this with substance by ensuring that African voices are not just heard but integrated into agenda-setting and leadership roles.
For Democratic Republic of Congo based mining consultant Jean-Louise Katasib, Nairobi’s rise could inspire greater continental ambition, nudging other African states to push harder for inclusion in global governance structures, saying, “this could also create rivalries conversely, if other countries feel sidelined by Kenya’s privileged position”.
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The bottom line is that Kenya’s expanded role as the UN’s African hub is a major diplomatic win but the concomitant influence is not automatic. The country, like most African countries with poor democratic report card, it must leverage symbolic hosting power into institutional strength, while the UN must ensure that relocation reflects genuine inclusivity rather than optics. The test is whether this move empowers Africa or simply relocates its shadow further back.
NOTE: Ed is editor-in-chief of DDNEWS and can be reached via:
(ed@ddnewsonline.com).