Kenya is set to host several major international organisations following Cabinet approval of key agreements that will see global institutions establish offices in Nairobi.
Among the organisations cleared to set up operations in the capital are the Ford Foundation, the International Vaccine Institute (IVI), and Novo Nordisk Foundation Kenya A/S.
The approvals, granted during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, February 10, mark a significant step in strengthening Nairobi’s profile as a regional centre for diplomacy, health, and scientific collaboration.
In the same session, the Cabinet endorsed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), paving the way for the establishment of the Eastern Africa Regional Coordination Centre in Nairobi.
The centre is expected to coordinate health and development programmes across the region, enhancing preparedness and response to public health challenges.
The decision reflects growing international trust in Kenya as a strategic base for multilateral engagement in East Africa.
By hosting these organisations, the country stands to deepen collaboration in areas such as medical research, vaccine development, and broader development initiatives.
Nairobi has long been regarded as a diplomatic hub on the continent, hosting the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters alongside more than 150 international and intergovernmental organisations and thousands of non-governmental organisations.
The addition of new global institutions is expected to further solidify this standing.
Beyond the establishment of international offices, the Cabinet also authorised Kenya to host the International Nuclear Conference 2026 in Mombasa from March 24 to 26 next year.
In addition, the government approved plans to submit a formal bid to host the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group Regional Training Academy.
The proposed academy would focus on strengthening regional expertise in combating money laundering, proliferation financing, and extremism financing.
The Cabinet further upheld its decision to ratify the convention establishing a new international organisation dedicated to mediation, positioning Kenya among its founding members.
These measures align with the government’s broader push to position the country as a premier destination for international conferences and conventions.
A key part of this strategy is the transformation of Bomas of Kenya through the construction of the Bomas International Convention Centre (BICC), which is scheduled for completion by April 2026.
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