The United States has pulled out of UN-Habitat, the United Nations agency headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, as part of a larger withdrawal from 66 international organisations announced on January 7, 2026. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the move follows a review that found these groups wasteful, ineffective, or against American interests.
Rubio shared the decision in a statement and on social media. He explained that President Donald Trump ordered the exits to stop funding bodies considered redundant or pushing agendas like climate rules and gender campaigns that clash with US views.
The list includes 31 UN-related entities and 35 others. UN-Habitat, focused on urban development and housing, made the cut because officials viewed its work as mismanaged or unnecessary.
UN-Habitat has operated from Nairobi since 1978. It’s the only major UN agency based in Africa south of the Sahara. The office in Gigiri employs hundreds of Kenyans and runs programmes on slums, city planning, and sustainable growth.
Projects reach places like Kibera and Mathare in Nairobi, helping with water, sanitation, and housing. The US contributed funds and expertise over years, though it was not the biggest donor.
This withdrawal hits Kenya directly. The agency brings jobs and international focus to urban issues. Nairobi’s rapid growth, with informal settlements housing millions, relies on such support. Local staff and partners worry about cuts to ongoing work. One employee, speaking off record, said it feels sudden and could slow progress in poor areas.
Kenyan officials haven’t given a full response yet. Past governments valued hosting UN-Habitat as a point of pride. It places Nairobi on the global map for development talks. Some leaders might push back quietly or seek other donors. The UN itself faces budget strains, with the US often delaying payments.
The bigger list covers climate bodies like the UNFCCC and IPCC, plus groups on population and trade. Rubio called it ending blank cheques for institutions captured by ideology. Supporters in the US say it saves money and protects sovereignty. Critics abroad warn it weakens global efforts on shared problems.
In Kenya, daily life in cities goes on. Traffic jams, markets, and matatus fill the streets. But urban planning affects millions. UN-Habitat helped with guidelines on affordable housing and climate-resilient buildings. Without US involvement, funding gaps might appear. Other countries like Sweden or Japan often step in, but changes take time.
This fits Trump’s America First policy from his first term. He left groups like the Paris Agreement and WHO before. Biden rejoined some, but Trump reversed again. The new exits follow an executive order for reviews.
For Nairobi residents, the news might not hit front pages for long. Bigger worries like jobs or costs come first. But in Gigiri, where the UN compound sits among green lawns, staff feel the shift. Programmes on slums or youth housing could face delays.
The withdrawal process takes months in some cases. Funding stops sooner. UN-Habitat will adjust budgets and seek alternatives. Kenya hosts the office, so operations continue, just with one less major player.
Reactions online mix concern and shrugs. Some Kenyans say it’s the US’s choice; others worry about lost aid. The agency has faced criticism before for slow impact, but many value its role.
As the year starts, this move sets a tone for US foreign ties. Kenya and the US have strong links in security and trade. This doesn’t break those but signals less multilateral work.
UN-Habitat carries on its mission. Cities grow fast in Africa, needing solutions. The headquarters stays in Nairobi, a symbol of the global south voice. Change comes, but the work persists.
