The Kenyan government has issued an invitation for bids from landowners and property developers to acquire land in Gigiri, Nairobi, for the construction of a purpose-built office block for its two permanent missions to the United Nations. The missions, to the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON) and United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), have been operating from rented premises since the 1970s.
The proposed office block aims to address the current lack of adequate space and essential amenities required for the effective discharge of the missions' mandates. Kenya's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to UNON and UNEP, Idah Odinga, stated that the government is seeking a suitable parcel of land that meets specific requirements for location, size, accessibility, infrastructure, and legal compliance.
The preferred location for the land is within Gigiri's core diplomatic hub, approximately 3km from the UN Complex. The site should be in a secure and accessible neighborhood suitable for diplomatic or government office development, with easy access to major roads and public infrastructure. The parcel should measure around 1-1.5 acres, with a regular shape to facilitate optimal design and development.
The land must be zoned for commercial, institutional, or mixed-use development compatible with office construction and comply with Nairobi City County planning regulations. It should have reliable access roads and connections to water, sewer, electricity, and telecommunications infrastructure, as well as adequate drainage and environmental suitability for development.
Bidders must provide a valid and verifiable freehold or leasehold title, with leasehold properties required to have at least 50 years remaining. The land must be free from encumbrances, disputes, caveats, charges, and litigation, while land rates and rent, where applicable, must be fully paid and up to date. Interested parties must submit specific documents, including a cover letter, title deed, and proposed asking price.
Submissions will be assessed based on compliance with technical specifications, location, clarity of title, infrastructure, value for money, and overall feasibility for development. Only shortlisted applicants will be invited for further engagement, including site visits and negotiations. The government reserves the right to accept or reject any submission without assigning reasons and is not bound to select the lowest-priced offer.
The sealed submissions should be clearly marked and submitted to the tender box at the Permanent Mission's main reception by October 13, 2026, at 11am. Further information is available from the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kenya to UNON and UNEP and through the Public Procurement Information Portal and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
Key points
- The Kenyan government seeks land within Gigiri's diplomatic hub for the construction of a purpose-built office block for its UN missions.
- The proposed office block aims to address the current lack of adequate space and essential amenities required for the effective discharge of the missions' mandates.
- Bidders must provide specific documents, including a cover letter, title deed, and proposed asking price, by October 13, 2026.
