Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Dr. Margaret Wanjuhi Naserian Gakami has made history by becoming the first woman in the Administration Police Service to earn a Doctorate degree.
In an update on Monday, October 13, the National Police Service (NPS) said her journey from humble beginnings in Loitokitok to national recognition is one defined by perseverance and a commitment to personal growth.
"When Dr. Margaret Wanjuhi Naserian Gakami, ASP, graduated with a PhD in Project Planning and Management from the University of Nairobi, she made history as the first woman in the Administration Police Service to earn a doctorate degree.
"Her achievement marked the culmination of years of discipline and determination, tracing a remarkable journey from her humble beginnings in Loitokitok to her current role as a respected leader and academic within the National Police Service," the statement read.
According to NPS, Gakami was born in 1984 and raised in the quiet village of Illasit on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
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From an early age, she demonstrated a strong passion for learning having completed her primary education at Kikelelwa Primary School and later attending St. Claire Girls in Rombo before joining the University of Nairobi (UoN).
"With a deep passion for learning and service, she pursued higher education, earning a Diploma in Human Resource Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from the University of Nairobi," the statement continued.
Gakami's entry into the police service in 2011 as a Graduate Police Constable marked the beginning of her career.
She trained at the Administration Police Training College, now known as the National Police College – Embakasi A Campus, establishing herself as an officer of integrity and commitment.
"Through dedication and hard work, she steadily rose through the ranks to become an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and currently serves as the Dagoretti South Sub-County Administration Police Commander – a position she holds with distinction and humility," the statement further read.
Despite the challenges that come with a demanding profession, Gakami continued to pursue her education.
After obtaining a Higher Diploma in Police Science, she went on to earn a master’s degree in 2017 before ultimately achieving her PhD.
"Balancing her studies, career, and family life was no easy feat, yet she pressed on with resilience and faith. Her story stands as a powerful inspiration – a reminder that with determination, focus, and grace, no dream is too distant to achieve," the statement continued.
Beyond her academic excellence, Gakami has successfully navigated her duties as a senior police officer, a scholar, and a mother.
"Dr. Margaret acknowledges that balancing policing, family, and studies required immense discipline and sacrifice. She often managed field operations during the day and academic work late into the night, while also embracing motherhood as part of her journey. Her story highlights the power of perseverance and shows how determination can overcome even the toughest challenges," the statement read.
Additionally, Gakami's education has also influenced her approach to policing, transforming how she engages with communities and approaches problem-solving.
As the Dagoretti South Sub-County Commander, she has championed programmes aimed at improving community welfare and building mutual trust between citizens and the police.
"She believes academia and policing complement each other – one offering practical experience, the other providing the tools to create sustainable reforms in service delivery and community relations.
"Driven by her belief in community empowerment, Dr. Margaret has initiated several projects such as tree-planting, water access programmes, and youth engagement forums," the statement further read.
Outside of her formal duties, Gakami has extended her impact through the Gakami Mustard Seed Foundation, an initiative she founded to empower communities through environmental conservation, education, and social development.
"Through the foundation, she has planted over 300,000 trees, drilled boreholes for schools, and trained women and youth in livelihood skills – initiatives that have uplifted communities and strengthened police-community relations," the statement concluded.
Elsewhere, in 2021, Dr. Resila Onyango became the first female police officer in the history of the National Police Service (NPS) to earn a Doctorate degree.
In an update, NPS said Resila earned her PhD and MPhil in Criminal Justice from the Graduate Center /John Jay College of Criminal Justice-The City University of New York (CUNY), USA under the CUNY Graduate Center Doctorate Fellowship and Masters of Science degree in Criminology from the University of Pennsylvania, USA, under Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program.
She graduated from Moi University in Kenya with her first degree in Education before joining the National Police Service in the year 2003.
Resila is an expert in policing, peace, conflict, and security.
A military observer, she trained at the Finnish Defence Forces International Centre in Finland and a trained Sex Crimes Investigator by the International Law Enforcement Academy, Botswana.
She has taught Criminal Justice both at John Jay College of Criminal Justice USA and locally at the USIU-Africa.
Resila is also invited regularly in her capacity as a Criminal Justice Expert to speak at Drexel University, USA.
Her academic research work has focused more on Comparative Criminology and Criminal Justice, Gender Issues in Policing and Peace Support Operations, Crimes against Children, and Terrorism within East Africa.
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