Monica Juma Shares Heartfelt Message Following UN Appointment

Ambassador Monica Juma, Kenya’s National Security Advisor and Secretary to the National Security Council, has broken her silence following her appointment as the next Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Director-General of the UN Office in Vienna.

In a statement dated Saturday, March 7, 2026, the newly appointed UNODC Executive Director thanked the UN Secretary-General for entrusting her with the role.

“I thank His Excellency António Guterres, the United Nations Secretary-General, for appointing me as the next Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and Director-General of the UN Office in Vienna,” Monica Juma said.

Kenyan Diplomat Monica Juma Pens Heartfelt Message After UNODC Appointment

She expressed her gratitude for the confidence placed in her, noting the timing of the appointment.

“I appreciate the Secretary-General’s confidence in my ability to steer these two important offices at the Under-Secretary-General level, at this critical point. Coming on the eve of International Women’s Day, this appointment reflects the UN Secretary-General’s belief in women’s leadership,” she said.

Also Read: Monica Juma, Adviser to President Ruto, Appointed United Nations Executive Director

Monica Juma also thanked President William Ruto for his support during her tenure as Kenya’s first National Security Advisor and Secretary to the National Security Council.

“I sincerely thank H.E. President William Ruto for the confidence he bestowed upon me in serving him and for enabling me to take on this global assignment. This demonstrates yet again his belief in Kenya’s contribution to the community of nations. I look forward to serving under this new mandate diligently and flying Kenya’s flag high, to the best of my ability. Thank you, Kenya, for preparing me to serve humanity,” she added.

Juma will succeed Ghada Fathi Waly of Egypt, to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for her dedicated service to the Organisation.

Monica Juma’s Profile

She held the role of Cabinet Secretary in strategic Ministries of Kenya, namely the Ministry of Energy (2021-2022); Ministry of Defence (2020-2021); Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2018-2020), and was Acting Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Petroleum and Mining (2022).

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Further, Juma served as Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2016-2018), Department of Interior, Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government (2014-2016), and Ministry of Defence (2013-2014).

She was Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kenya to Ethiopia and Djibouti and Permanent Representative of Kenya to the African Union, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the United Nations Commission for Africa (UNECA) between 2010 and 2013.

Academic Experience

Her academic experience includes Executive Director, Research Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA) (2008-2010); Executive Director, Africa Policy Institute (2006-2008); Adjunct Faculty Member, African Centre for Strategic Studies, National Defence University – Washington DC (since 2002); and Senior Researcher/Policy Analyst, Safer Africa (2002-2006).

Juma holds a PhD, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Oxford, United Kingdom (1998-2000), as well as a Master of Arts and a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Public Administration, University of Nairobi, Kenya (1991; 1987).

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