Kenyan diplomat and security expert Monica Juma has been appointed to a top leadership position within the United Nations, marking a significant moment for Kenya on the global stage.
António Guterres announced that Juma will serve as the new Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV). She succeeds Ghada Fathi Waly, who has led the agency in recent years.
Until Juma formally assumes office, John Brandolino will continue serving as Acting Executive Director of UNODC and Acting Director-General of UNOV.
Juma currently serves as Kenya’s National Security Adviser and Secretary to the National Security Council, a role she has held since 2022 under the Government of Kenya. Her appointment reflects decades of experience in diplomacy, governance, and national security.
Over the years, she has held several influential cabinet-level positions, including Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Energy between 2021 and 2022, Defence from 2020 to 2021, and Foreign Affairs from 2018 to 2020. She also briefly served as Acting Cabinet Secretary for Petroleum and Mining in 2022.
Earlier in her career, Juma worked as Principal Secretary in multiple ministries, including Foreign Affairs, Interior and Coordination of National Government, and Defence. Her diplomatic experience also includes serving as Kenya’s ambassador to Ethiopia and Djibouti, while representing the country at the African Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
Academically, Juma holds a PhD from the University of Oxford and degrees in Government and Public Administration from the University of Nairobi.
Her appointment places her at the forefront of global efforts to tackle transnational crime, drug trafficking, and international security challenges. Observers say the move highlights Kenya’s growing influence in international diplomacy and multilateral institutions.