Ruto proposes incentives for UN Staff to retire and settle in Nairobi
Ruto proposes incentives for UN Staff to retire and settle in Nairobi
Kenya could soon start to pay incentives to all United Nations staff working in and outside Kenya under a new proposal by President William Ruto.
Speaking during the Inauguration of the United Nations Nairobi Expansion Project in Gigiri, Nairobi, on Monday, May 11, Ruto stated that the Kenyan government plans to amend the constitution to create incentives that will allow UN staff and their families to retire and settle in Nairobi after completing their service.
According to the Head of State, the proposed legal adjustments are intended to ensure that UN personnel living and working in the city have a positive experience and a pathway to make Nairobi their long-term home if they choose.
“We will be complementing your efforts to make sure residents and UN families living with us will have a good experience living and working out of Nairobi,” Ruto stated.
“We are working on our Privileges and Immunities Act to provide opportunity for families and staff who work out of Nairobi, if they consider retiring in Nairobi, we are planning to extend facilities and the law will provide incentives for you to retire in this great city,” he added.
According to Ruto, the proposal to offer incentives to retired staff is a way for Kenya to complement their efforts to ensure a good experience in Kenya.
As of 2026, the United Nations has over 6,000 personnel based in Kenya alone and over 130,000 staff nationwide.
JKUAT announces fully funded scholarships; How to apply
French President Emmanuel Macron in a morning run with Kipchoge in Nairobi
President Ruto assents to 3 new bills
Kenyan drivers reportedly arrested in Uganda
The 6,000 staff are distributed across 86 offices at the Gigiri complex, with the figure expected to rise following efforts to move more offices across the country.
Major entities like UNICEF, UN Women, and UNFPA are actively shifting more functions to Nairobi, with plans to relocate more staff from New York by 2026.
Ruto’s proposal now aims to accommodate retirees from UNUN, who largely retire at age 65. However, for his plan to succeed, the Privileges and Immunities Clause of the Constitution must be amended.
The law aims to coordinate and give legal force to international agreements relating to diplomatic and consular relations. Currently, it provides immunity from arrest, detention, or prosecution to diplomats while in the country.
It also allows the Cabinet Secretary of Foreign Affairs to grant special immunities and privileges to organisations, such as the United Nations (UN) and its personnel, but does not allocate any incentives to the personnel.
Uhuru Kenyatta and Treasury CS John Mbadi meet in Uganda
France to fund Ksh4.5 Billion Science and Engineering Complex at the University of Nairobi (UoN)
Gachagua links Mandera killings to presence of Jubaland forces in Kenya
Mudavadi fires back at Kalonzo over his remarks on Africa Forward Summit
Follow us
