Kenya, UN in talks to establish humanitarian hub at JKIA

Kenya and the United Nations (UN) are in discussions to establish a humanitarian hub at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to support regional aid operations.

In a statement on Saturday, March 29, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said the proposed facility would enhance humanitarian operations in Eastern and Southern Africa.

‘’The Government and the UN are discussing plans for a humanitarian logistics hub at JKIA to coordinate its humanitarian operations in the Eastern and Southern Africa region.”

‘’If implemented, this facility, which will be linked to a corridor from Mombasa to Naivasha through Nairobi, will also be the largest in the Global South,” said Mudavadi.

The Foreign Affairs CS said the project also aligns with Kenya’s efforts to develop a world-class airport, strengthen its aviation sector, and drive socio-economic transformation.

The discussions come amid criticism of Kenya’s involvement in regional affairs.

Last month, Sudan accused Nairobi of interfering in its internal matters after opposition forces gathered at the KICC to form a parallel government.

Sudan’s Foreign Ministry accused Kenya of violating diplomatic agreements and supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which it claims are committing war crimes.

Despite these criticisms, Kenya remains a key player in humanitarian efforts.

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) reports that Kenya hosts at least 800,000 registered refugees and asylum seekers, mostly from Somalia and South Sudan, housed in Dadaab and Kakuma camps.

UN expansion in Nairobi

As part of ongoing discussions, the UN also plans to expand its presence in Nairobi with a $340 million (Sh44 billion) investment, adding three new global offices by 2026.

“We believe Nairobi is an excellent base for our operations. Several agencies have already moved, and others are preparing to relocate,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement.