Each year, the UN System in Kenya selects an individual or institution whose initiative has not attracted a great deal of publicity to them, but is involved in a sector where the UN system of organizations is also a player, who has succeeded in bringing to public notice significant issues related to the Millennium Development Goals, and whose achievements are sustainable and serve as an inspiration to all Kenyans.

The selection of the “UN in Kenya Person of the Year” is made after an extensive round of consultations and voting by all members of the UN Communications Group, whose decision is to be endorsement by the heads of UN Agencies.

This year's winner of the Person of the Year prize was Henry Kiprono Kirwa.  He is a Kenyan Paralympics champion in 10,000-, 5,000- and 1,500-metre running competitions.  He has been making efforts to fight poverty using sports despite his disability.

He was born virtually impaired in Kapsabet in the Rift Valley Province. In spite of this, he has demonstrated that disability is not inability and that through sports, youth can break away from poverty. Mr. Henry won three gold medals at the 2008 Paralympics held in Beijing, China, soon after the Olympics games.

His success is a result of hard work and perseverance, which have  helped him to become and endearing to the youth who are encouraged and many are already emulating him by working hard to succeed like him.

On 22 September 2009, the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Nairobi was invited by the United States International University in Nairobi to give a talk during the International Day of Peace event organized by the University.

The session started with remarks by Mr. Kirimi from the Peace Net, a non-governmental organization.  He talked about the role of youth in peace-building. The UNIC Officer-in-Charge gave a talk entitled "The UN and the challenges of world peace".

UNIC's presentation was followed by US Ambassador to Kenya Michael E. Ranneberger.  He focused on the new US policies under the Obama administration.

The occassion was attended by about 150 students, invited guests from the civil society and the media.

The presentations were followed by questions and answers.

On 23 September 2009, the International Day of Peace was the occasion for the United Nations staff to speak about the UN's peace efforts at the State house Girls' School.

The UNIC Officer-in-Charge explained about the meaning of the Day, while a former UN woman peacekeeper in the operation in Sierra Leone gave accounts of the importance of peacekeeping operations based on her experience.

Two students from Model United Nations in Kenya joined the UN team to encourage students to undertake Model UN exercises.  They emphasized that it was a good way to learn about diplomacy, geography, politics and negotiation skills.

About 40 students listened to the presentations and a Q&A session ensued.

At least three hundred people participated in the United Nations Office in Nairobi's (UNON) commemoration of both the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade and the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members. The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Nairobi organized the event which was held on 25 March 2009.

The event got underway with 6 drummers, from a community group called Sarakasi Drummers, beating the drums in the main lobby of UNON headquarters. With the area thronging with students and staff members, and pulsating with the sounds of the drumming, the Chief of the Information and Communication Technology Section explained the meaning of the drumming and what it represented on this solemn day.  He was followed by United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) Director of Communication and Public Information, who called for a minute of silence in remembrance of the victims of slavery and then read the Secretary-General’s message.

The audience cheered loudly when they were treated to the Model UN Secretary-General, Brenda Malowa, reading the UN Secretary General’s message for the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members. She was followed by the Deputy Chief of Security at UNON who talked about the difficulties staff faced by working in hazardous places. He also called for the immediate release of all detained staff members so that they could rejoin their families and colleagues.

Throughout the programme, staff and students alike were visibly moved and delighted with the rhythmic sounds generated by the Sarakasi Drummers.

The 27th annual East African Model United Nations (EAMUN) conference, which was opened on 23 February 2009 by the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) Director General, came to a close on 27 February 2009.

The Model UN conference took place at the United Nations in Nairobi and brought together approximately 1300 students from different East African schools. At the opening, the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General, H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, encouraged the delegates to be ambassadors of peace. The conference sought to increase the students’ knowledge of various universal problems and their potential solutions through discussions, negotiations and debates.

Model United Nations simulate the actual United Nations, where students from various schools act as delegates and take on the challenges of the world in discussing current economic, political and social issues. The conference is expected to pass resolutions on issues touching on economic development, ecology, human rights, health, peace and security, as well as the International Court of Justice.

EAMUN is one of four Model UN hosted by UN Nairobi. The others are The Junior Model United Nations, Middle level Model United Nations and the Kenya Model United Nations.