About the Mission

The Permanent Mission of Kenya to Habitat was established in 1978 as a fully-fledged Mission accredited to Habitat with its first Permanent Representative as Amb. Margaret Kenyatta and its physical offices initially situated at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre. The founding of the Mission resulted from the establishment of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (commonly referred to as “Habitat”) in 1978 with its Secretariat headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. The UN Habitat is responsible for human settlements and sustainable urban development.

In 2009, the Government of the Republic of Kenya consolidated the Permanent Missions to UNEP and UN-Habitat under the leadership of a single Ambassador/ Permanent Representative. The consolidated office was moved to Gigiri closer to the UN-Complex for ease of operations. Kenya’s interest and engagement on the work and matters of UN-Habitat were managed by Kenya’s Permanent Mission to UNEP and UNON until December 2013.

In August 2014, the Government of the Republic of Kenya decided to re-establish a fully-fledged Mission to UN-Habitat, accrediting it to UN-Habitat with an Ambassador/ Permanent Representative as the Head of the Mission.

The re-establishment of the Mission was a strategic move to assist the Government partner better with the UN-Habitat in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development in particular Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11), “make cities and human settlements inclusive safe, resilient and sustainable” as well as other urban and human settlements aspects of the Paris Climate Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Sendai Framework on Disaster and Risk Reduction and most importantly, the New Urban Agenda.

Representing Kenya’s interest in sustainable urbanization and human settlements. Partnering with the global community for a better urban future.

Balozi Nairobi River Walk 22August 2024 (33)

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Mandate

To perform diplomatic, representational and multilateral duties on behalf of the Government of Kenya with the secretariat of the UN-Habitat, missions and diplomatic embassies accredited to the UN-Habitat and other relevant international entities.

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Vision

To be a champion for all matters pertaining to strengthened international relations with a particular focus on the promotion of sustainable urbanization and human settlements matters.

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Mission

To advance and promote the interests of Kenya with respect to the negotiations on substantive human settlement and governance aspects of UN-Habitat.

The Permanent Representative

Amb. Grace A. Okara- 2024 to Date

Her vision is to champion the deployment of effective multilateralism in addressing the challenges of human settlements and promoting sustainable urbanization, while focusing on the fundamental right to adequate and affordable housing, especially for the most vulnerable, in line with the Government’s Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
Her efforts will be geared towards leveraging UN-Habitat expertise to enhance urban governance and management, and strengthen urban institutions to deliver improved and resilient infrastructure and services, while unlocking greater opportunities for Kenyans in UN-Habitat.

Former Permanent Representatives

Amb. Jean W. Kimani	2021 – 2024
Amb. Njambi Kinyungu	2019 – 2020
Amb. Anthony Andanje	2016 – 2018
Amb. Sam Ongeri	2014 – 2016
Amb. Martin Kimani	2012 – 2014
Amb. George Owuor	2010 – 2012
Amb. Macharia Kamau	2009 – 2010
Amb. Solomon Karanja	2003 – 2009
Amb. D.K.A Kikaya	2001 – 2003
Amb. Mary D. Odinga	1997 – 2000
Amb. Pamela Mboya	1986 – 1997
Amb. Margret Kenyatta	1976 – 1986