In a profession historically defined by rigid hierarchies and long-standing traditions, Dr. Margaret Naserian Gakami has carved out a new path one marked by resilience, scholarship, and service.
Dr. Gakami made history as the first woman within Kenya’s Administration Police Service to earn a Doctor of Philosophy degree, a milestone that speaks not only to personal achievement but also to the evolving face of leadership in public security.
In an interview with Citizen Digital, Naserian revealed she graduated in September 2025 with a PhD in Project Planning and Management from the University of Nairobi.
Born in Oloitoktok in Kajiado County, Dr. Gakami attended Ilasit Primary School before proceeding to St. Claire Girls Secondary School Rombo, where she sat her KCSE exam, scoring an impressive B+.
Her performance earned her a direct entry into the University of Nairobi where she pursued her Bachelor’s of Arts in Social work, graduating in 2009.
“Between 2009 and 2011, I was doing my side hustles. It is during then that I got an interest in joining the National Police Service, something I had never thought of before. I went for recruitment in Oloitoktok and the recruiting officers were impressed by my documents and thats how I was recruited,’’ she added.
After undergoing a 15 months training, Dr. Gakami went back to the University of Nairobi for her Master’s in project planning and Management, graduating in 2017, and enrolled for her doctorate degree in 2019.
Throughout her career, she believed that effective policing must be informed by knowledge as much as by authority.
This is why she decided to pursue a PhD to deepen her understanding of leadership, policy development, and institutional systems, some of the areas that are critical to meaningful and sustainable reform within the security sector.
“The main reason I really wanted to push on the field of education is because of the impact knowledge and skills bring in our work and lives. Especially in leadership, you get to understand how policies and the system work so that you can better your services,” she said.
“In my line of duty, it is believed that most police officers are not educated and I want to say that is changing,” she added.
Her service has been marked with professionalism since she joined the Administration Police as a trainee officer.
From those early days, she demonstrated a commitment to duty and discipline that would steadily propel her through the ranks. Over the years, her professional growth mirrored a deepening sense of responsibility, culminating in her appointment as an Assistant Superintendent of Police.
Along the way, Dr. Gakami took on demanding operational roles, including serving as the sub-county commander for Dagoretti South, an assignment that requires both strategic oversight and community-centered leadership.
In this role, she was tasked with balancing law enforcement priorities with the everyday realities of the communities she served, reinforcing trust while maintaining security.
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