Kenya became a member of the United Nations in 1963 and is a strong supporter of the UN. An agreement was signed in 1964 between the United Nations System and the Government of Kenya, after which commencement of operations began in Kenya. The Kenya Mission to the United Nations was established to assist the country in achieving its foreign policy goals by representing the Government of Kenya through negotiations, programs of action and resolutions.

The United Nations Development Program in Kenya provides help and assistance for five main priority areas which include:

Conflict Resolution and Peace Building
Poverty Reduction
Disaster Risk Reduction
Democratic Governance
Energy and Environment

The headquarters of the United Nations Environment Program and the United Nations Human Settlements Program are located in Kenya. In addition there are a number of United Nations specialised agencies, programs and funds with regional offices in Kenya which include:

The World Food Program
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization
International Civil Organization
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
The United Nations Environment Program
The United Nations Aids Program
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
The International Labour Organization
The International Finance Corporation
The United Nations Project for Services
The United Nations Children's Fund
The World Bank
The World Health Organization
The United Nations Population
The United Nations Development Program
The World Metrological Organization
The International Organization for Migration
The United Nations Drug Control Program