Kenyans have raised concerns over the increase in rent prices after the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF) announced that it is relocating about one quarter of its staff to Nairobi, from New York.
Journalist Moina Spooner initiated the conversation on X on Tuesday, February 20, indicating that the staff relocating to Nairobi may be in thousands.
Further she questioned whether the price of housing will increase as a result of the move, adding that the staff were also concerned that they will be moving further away from the headquarters.
“The United Nations Population Fund is relocating about one quarter of its staff to Nairobi, from New York. Staff are concerned they’ll be further away from the HQ, where decisions are made.
“I’m also worried about what this could mean for the rest of us, and our house prices,” she said.
Reactions From Kenyans Over Rent Hike
Although her concern was shared among other Kenyans who responded to the statement on X, others indicated that the government was already putting up affordable housing and therefore there would be enough housing for the staff.
“Affordable housing by Kenya and Chinese developers are available. Let UN move to Nairobi. It’s obviously cheaper than New York,” Farah, a user on X stated.
At the same time, Ronald Mahondo opined that the rent prices would not hike because of the availability of the affordable houses.
Also, Just Krop lauded the move indicating that it allowed the organization to come closer to the people whose concerns it was addressing.
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“The decisions made affect Africans more than they do the New Yorkers, so it’s imperative that whatever the Population Fund does is done in Africa, which is of course depopulation of Africans,” he said.
UNPF Agency Announces Move From New York to Nairobi
In December 2023, the agency announced on its employment notices and job adverts that the move will happen by 2025.
Further, in a Director of the Program and Technical Division job advert, the agency indicated that the program run by the hired official would be established before the planned move.
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“As Director of the Program and Technical division, the Director will initially supervise two divisions, the Policy and Strategy Division and Technical Division and will be responsible for leading the integration of the people, processes and work plans for the new Program and Technical Division.
“A fully integrated Program and Technical Division will be in place by August 2024 ahead of the physical move planned between March and September 2025,” indicated the advert.
