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A series of framed certificates and mementoes hang on the back wall of Donald Kaniaru’s home office, celebrating careers with both the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Government of Kenya.

However, Kaniaru, now retired, keeps his most treasured document on his desk: a copy of the agreement to host UNEP’s headquarters in Nairobi.

UNEP’s establishment in 1972 not only brought environmental issues to the global stage but also marked the first time an international organization would be based in the Global South. And Kaniaru, then a 30-year-old heading the Kenyan government’s legal division, played a key role in the story of UNEP’s foundation.

Rallying developing countries’ support

The genesis of Nairobi’s selection can be traced back to 1965 when the city launched an unsuccessful bid to host the United Nations Industrial Development Organization. This spurred Nairobi to adopt a different approach eight years later in the race to host UNEP.

“I was in the Kenyan delegation at that time supporting the ambassador. The resolution that Kenya put forward [stated] that given other headquarters were in North America and Western Europe, there should be equity,” Kaniaru says.

Kaniaru says Kenya “protested” and “persisted,” which led to the United Nations sending an assessment team to Nairobi.

“I was sent to Nairobi immediately that afternoon to meet the team. The government of Kenya had consulted at the highest levels. So, it was possible to [settle] the concerns.”

At the same time, Kenya successfully secured the support of other countries that had bid for UNEP’s headquarters, including Mexico City and New Delhi. With this united front, Nairobi’s bid was officially adopted on 15 December 1972 during the UN General Assembly’s 27th session, which involved all Member States. The bid earned 128 votes in favour, none against and no abstentions.

“History was made,” Kaniaru says. “There would be this institution in Nairobi, Kenya.”

Breaking ground

With the bid secured, Kaniaru and his team remained committed to ensuring UNEP would swiftly settle into its new headquarters. By October 1973, UNEP had set up shop in the Kenyatta International Convention Centre. Two years later, it moved to a new location on an old coffee farm in Nairobi’s outskirts, where it remains today.

“Kenya was totally committed. A headquarters agreement was quickly agreed – it was the fastest decision taken anywhere on any headquarters,” he says. “It was an excellent opportunity. There was great joy.”

The joy Kaniaru mentions remains intact all these years later: as he continues recounting his story, a few chuckles begin punctuating his words.

“It felt like we were providing the first opportunity of this nature for countries in the Southern hemisphere. And of course, it’s 50 years since UNEP has been proudly stationed in this part of the world.”

Kaniaru joined UNEP in 1975, where he would remain in various posts, including Director of the Division of Environmental Policy Implementation, until his retirement three decades later.

After 50 years of existence, Kenya still regards UNEP as a unique organisation in the UN System that offers the Global South an opportunity to voice its environmental concerns and engage the world for practical solutions.  

“UNEP is a gem. It is a vehicle through which those of us who live in the South are able to articulate our concerns regarding environmental sustainability,” says Ambassador Rachelle Omamo, Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Kenya.

Over time UNEP has proven to be the convening platform to articulate global environmental concerns and advocate for concrete actions.