Kenya blows trumpet after Nairobi upgrade
United Nations Environmental Programme, (Unep) headquarters at Gigiri in Nairobi, Kenya. Photo/FILE
The Kenyan government is claiming credit for Nairobi’s recent upgrading in a United Nations ranking system that measures comparative quality of life.
The International Civil Service Commission, which oversees conditions of service for UN staff members, decided in December to re-categorise Nairobi as a level “B” duty station.
The Kenyan capital had been dropped to “C” level in 2001 due to concerns about health and security.
Quality of life
The three other cities that host UN agencies – New York, Geneva and Vienna – all have “A” ratings.
“That the quality of life in Nairobi has improved is no longer in doubt,” Kenya’s UN Mission in New York declared in a statement touting the Nairobi upgrade.
It said government investments in infrastructure and social amenities over the past several years have brought about gains.
As proof of progress, the Kenya Mission points to the country’s ranking in the UN Human Development Index. Kenya is now grouped with “medium” developed countries after having been assigned to the “low” category in 2001.
Other UN duty stations receive low grades from the International Civil Service Commission. It gives an “E” -- the lowest score – to Dadaab, Kakuma and Garissa. Eldoret gets a “D” ranking and Nakuru a “C,” while Mombasa and Kisumu freceive the same “B” grade as Nairobi.
