While there has been progress in accelerating gender equity and inclusivity in Kenya’s employment sector, women still continue to face challenges in accessing employment, especially in sensitive positions.
That notwithstanding, hundreds of women in Kenya have broken barriers, especially in the field of security and justice.

As the world celebrates International Women’s Day and mark 30 years of the Beijing 30 declaration Action platform, we celebrate these women who have shattered glass ceilings in the once male dominated fields.

Ambassador Monica Juma

Ambassador Dr Monica Juma is the first-ever National Security Advisor to the President of Kenya. She has also served as the Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Defence, Foreign Affairs and also as acting Cabinet Secretary in the docket of Petroleum and Mining.

Amb. Juma has also served as Principal Secretary for Defence, Interior and Foreign Affairs.

She was Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kenya to Ethiopia and Djibouti, and Permanent Representative of Kenya to the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and United Nations Commission for Africa (UNECA).

She was in the United Nations Secretary General’s (UNSG) High Level Panel on Resourcing African Union, led UNSC mandated peacekeeping missions, and consulted for many UN and African Union agencies on matters of security, peace, governance and development.

Agnes Shikuku

She is the senior most officer of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) having been appointed by the Director-General Noordin Haji in November 2023.

Shikuku, a lawyer by training, earlier served as the spy agency’s Director of Administration and has a deep understanding of the internal workings of the Service.

According to report from Parliament, she played a pivotal role in the investigation into the conduct of the controversial Artur Brothers and their associates, showcasing her commitment to upholding the principles of justice and national security.

Major General Fatuma Ahmed Gaiti

Major General Fatma Ahmed is the true definition of breaking barriers. She has set precedents in the military by becoming the first female commander of the Kenya Air Force (KAF), also a male-dominated domain. Her meteoric rise is the pride and beacon of hope for all female military officers. She was the first ever female Brigadier, the first ever female Maj-Gen and now the first ever female service commander. Her journey to the helm of the Kenya Air Force began in 1983 when she was recruited as a cadet.

She later graduated as Second Lieutenant serving in the Women Service Corps which was an auxiliary unit for the military that was dedicated to churning out women who only served in clerical and store management roles. She was later appointed to head Kenya Air Force, a formation previously led by the late Gen Francis Ogolla.

Maj. Gen Ahmed who is married to a fellow military officer went ahead to get three children, served as a battalion commander and later head of personnel at the KAF before being promoted to the rank of Brigadier and appointment as the Managing Director Defence Forces Medical Insurance Scheme in 2015.

It is in 2015 that she made history by becoming the first female Brigadier. However, she did not stop at that. In 2018, former president Uhuru Kenyatta elevated her to the position of Maj-Gen, serving as the Assistant Chief of Defence Forces in charge of personnel and logistics.

Five years later, she made history again after president William Ruto appointed her as the commander of the Air force, becoming the first woman to head one of the military services.

Her remarkable achievement in a tough and male-dominated field is a true testament that gender equality can indeed be achieved even in the military.

Currently, Brigadier Zipporah Kioko is the Chief of Strategic Communications at Defence Headquarters, Brigadier Yvonne Kerubo is the Chief of Legal Service at Defence Headquarters. Brigadier Joyce Sitienei is the Director of the International Peace Support Training Centre, Karen, Brigadier Elizabeth Omollo is the Director Examinations at the National Defence University-Kenya while Brigadier Caroline Mutisya is attached to the Office of the Nationals Security Adviser to the President.

Chief Justice Martha Koome

Koome is the first woman to ever hold the office of the Chief Justice of Kenya and the president of the Supreme Court of Kenya. Her historic appointment in May 2021 marked a breath of fresh air, marking the beginning of what seems to be a more equitable space.

Born in Meru county, the Supreme Court president has proved to be resilient in her career as an advocate. She distinguishes herself as a defender for human rights and gender equality and has for a long time championed for justice for marginalized groups particularly women and girls.

She is a firm believer of the constitution and has also fought for the independence of the judiciary and takes a keen interest in the welfare of children.

Before her appointment she served as a Court of Appeal judge and was instrumental in constitutional reforms, children’s rights, and judicial independence.

In her position as the CJ, she has also managed to reduce the backlog in regional courts which has been a key contributor in delayed justice.

As she continues to pave the way for future generations of women, we celebrate her achievements and success which is an inspiration to many women and girls who dare to dream big.

Soipan Tuya

Soipan Tuya is the Cabinet Secretary for Defence, having been sworn into office in August last year. Prior to this role, she served as the CS for Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry, where she made significant contributions to Kenya’s environmental and climate action agenda.

In her current role at the Ulinzi House, she is responsible for the formulation and implementation of Defence policies, and provision of strategic direction to ensure the Ministry effectively operationalises its mandate.

She is the principal advisor to the President on defence matters, she serves as the key link between the Ministry and both the National Assembly and the Senate, providing regular reports and responses on issues of national security and defence.

Dorcas Oduor

Dorcas Agik Oduor, is the first female Attorney General of Kenya. She was admitted to the Bar as an Advocate of the High Court in 1992. She is also a member of the Judicial Service Commission having been sworn in on August 23, 2024.

Until her appointment, Oduor was the Secretary, Public Prosecutions and the Principal Deputy to the Director of Public Prosecutions. A career Prosecution Counsel, she previously served in Public Prosecutions for over 20 years having begun her career as a State Counsel in 1991.