Gigiri

Gigiri hosts the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), established in 1996. UNON is one of the United Nations' four principal office sites and hosts the global headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).^[1] The International Civil Aviation Organization's Eastern and Southern African Office is also based at the UNON complex.^[2]

The planned expansion of UNON and the relocation of additional UN operations to Nairobi are expected to increase the city's international diplomatic presence and capacity to host major meetings.^[3]

The neighbourhood also hosts the Embassy of the United States and the embassies of Norway, Sweden, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Oman, Poland and Senegal. The United Nations complex, diplomatic missions and other international organisations have made Gigiri Nairobi's main diplomatic district.^[4]

Gigiri borders Karura Forest, a 1,041-hectare urban forest often described as one of the world's largest. The western part of the forest is also known as Sigiria Forest.^[5] Karura features walking, running, cycling, and horse trails.^[6]

The Village Market is a shopping, dining and entertainment complex in Gigiri. Two Rivers Mall, another large retail and leisure development, is nearby in Ruaka. The area has a large expatriate population and a concentration of restaurants, cafés and international hotels.^[4]

International hotels in Gigiri include Tribe Hotel by Design Hotels, Trademark Hotel, and Gem Forest Hotel by MGallery. In 2026, Silva Gigiri Ltd announced plans for a new five-star development next to Village Market.^[7]

Gigiri is served mainly by Limuru Road, United Nations Avenue, and the Northern Bypass.