SHE MEANS BUSINESS| Meet Kenya's first woman Administration Police officer with a PhD

Dr. Gakami joined the Administration Police as a trainee officer and steadily rose through the ranks to become an Assistant Superintendent of Police.

She has served as the sub-county commander for Dagoretti South, a role that places her at the centre of security coordination, community policing, and operational leadership in one of Nairobi’s high-pressure jurisdictions.

Her academic journey ran parallel to her demanding career in law enforcement. At a time when operational deployments, transfers, and long hours define the profession, Dr. Gakami made the deliberate decision to pursue advanced education.

Her PhD, she says, was driven by a desire to deepen her understanding of leadership, policy, and institutional systems, and to contribute more effectively to public service.

Speaking on She Means Business, hosted by journalist Claire Munde, Dr. Gakami reflects on the discipline, sacrifice, and resilience required to balance postgraduate studies with active service.

She also addresses the unspoken barriers women face in uniformed services—ranging from cultural expectations to limited role models at senior and academic levels.

Her achievement challenges long-held perceptions about career ceilings within disciplined forces and highlights the role of education in strengthening public institutions.

Beyond the personal milestone, Dr. Gakami’s success opens doors for other officers—especially women—who aspire to combine professional service with academic excellence.

As Kenya continues conversations around police reform, leadership, and professional development in the security sector, Dr. Gakami’s journey stands as evidence that intellectual growth and frontline service are not mutually exclusive, but mutually reinforcing.