A Senior Administration Police (AP) officer, Margaret Gakami, became the first female officer in the Administration Police to earn a PhD.
Dr. Gakami, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, received her doctorate in Project Planning and Management at the University of Nairobi’s graduation ceremony on 19th September 2025.
Her doctoral research focused on traffic management, specifically the performance of intelligent traffic control systems aimed at helping to decongest Nairobi.
This was more than just a graduation—it was the celebration of a journey, that of a girl born in a small village called Illasit, at the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, who dared to dream and dared even more to pursue it.
Dr. Margaret Gakami Education
Gakami holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a Master of Arts in Project Planning and Management from the University of Nairobi.
She also has a Diploma in Human Resource Management and a Higher Diploma in Police Science Administration from the Police Training College.
Born in 1984 in Illasit village near Mt. Kilimanjaro, Dr. Gakami began her education at Kikelelwa Primary School in 1991.
She later attended St. Claire Girls Secondary School, where she achieved a B+ in her KCSE exams, before enrolling at the University of Nairobi in 2005.
She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in social work in 2009, despite welcoming a second child just three months before her graduation.
Dr. Gakami then pursued her master’s in project planning and management in 2010, completing it in 2017 after a seven-year journey.
Her Career in the Police Service
She joined the Administration Police Service in May 2011 and has since served in various postings.
Today, she serves as the Sub-County Commander for Dagoretti South Sub-County in Nairobi.
Her career has seen her take on high-profile roles, including Head of Security Attached at the Immigration Department, the Ministry of Lands, and the National Land Commission.
She has also served as an Inspector of Police at both the Anti-Counterfeit Authority and the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties.
Margaret Gakami said she never imagined she would join the police. She explained that while pursuing her master’s degree, she came across an advert indicating that graduates were being recruited.
At the time, she was unaware of the distinction between the Administration Police Service and the Kenya Police Service, but was eager to seize any opportunity.
According to her, recruiters were impressed by her academic qualifications, noting that she had scored a B+ in her Form Four exams, completed a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work with excellent results, and was pursuing a master’s degree.
She revealed that she did not inform her parents or close associates about her decision to join the service because of the stigma associated with becoming a police officer.
“Everybody in the community, the following day, was aware that Margaret was among the people who were selected. Actually, it is a heroic feeling in the community. They are happy for me, and I’m hiding,” she recalled in a past interview.
Margaret Gakami says she truly enjoys serving as a police officer and finds fulfillment in her role despite her impressive academic background.
With several degrees, some people question her career choice. However, she maintains that she is content and believes she is exactly where she is meant to be.
For her, joining the police is not just a job but a calling. She views it as part of God’s plan and a preparation for greater responsibilities in the future.
Gakami describes herself as being in the right place and is happy with the path she has chosen.
She has adopted a community-centered approach to security in which the all stakeholders, including the community, are the heart of safety, crime prevention, and public order.
Also Read: Dr Gladys Ngetich: Award-Winning Kenyan Engineer Who Earned a PhD at 28 Without a Master’s
Mustard Seed Foundation
Beyond her duties as a police officer, Gakami is also the founder and CEO of the Master Seed Foundation, which carries out community work. The foundation focuses on four main areas: environmental conservation, capacity building, women empowerment, and community development.
The foundation has rehabilitated Olkiloriti Primary School, which has received a much-needed facelift, including the installation of a new borehole, construction of classrooms, administrative offices, and sanitation facilities.
In Murang’a and Kajiado, the Gakami Mustard Seed Foundation has partnered with local communities to establish nurseries that grow indigenous, exotic, and fruit trees, which are then sold, contributing to household incomes in the two counties.
In Kajiado County, the foundation spearheaded an initiative that saw 12,500 trees planted—3,500 fruit trees and 9,000 assorted species—to buffer the effects of climate change in Loitokitok.
The foundation also distributed orange, mango, and avocado seedlings to families in Ilasit (Loitokitok), boosting food security and creating alternative sources of income for the community.
In Kangema, the elderly, who are among the most vulnerable members of society, have benefited from a borehole and firewood program, as well as the planting of 100,000 trees.
Dr. Gakami is also a devoted wife and mother of three.
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