By BMJ Muriithi in New York and Peter Orengo
Nairobi residents can now walk heads high and be proud of their city after acquiring an improved status.
Early this week, the United Nations (UN) International Civil Service Commission elevated Nairobi from category âCâ to âBâ at the headquarters in New York.
In a press statement, which The Standard has obtained, the UN says it is satisfied with the Governmentâs effort to make the capital city safer.
And according to the Human Development Index, Kenya has moved from a low ranking of 0.489 in 2001 to 0.541. The UN says the rise indicates an improvement in the quality of life.
The country has also realised significant economic growth from a low rate of 0.6 in 2002 to a high of 7 per cent in 2007.
Original category
And speaking to The Standard from his office in New York, Kenyaâs Ambassador to the UN Zachary Muburi-Muita said Nairobiâs elevation means a lot.
" I am delighted after the UN elevated Nairobi to level "B" UN duty station," he said.
Mr Muburi-Muita added, "We have worked tirelessly to realise this and I can assure you we are not going to rest until our city reverts to its original category "A" status."
To the UN workers in Kenya the categorisation removes the country from high security risk, meaning they will not receive risk allowance.
A UN spokesman in Nairobi Pedro Maximilla said the gesture shows the body is comfortable working in Kenya.
