How Dr. Margaret Naserian Became the First Female AP Officer to Earn a PhD in Kenya

Dr Margaret Naserian made history on September 19, 2025, becoming the first female officer in the Administration Police Service to earn a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), breaking barriers in Kenya’s disciplined services.

She graduated from the University of Nairobi with a PhD in Project Planning and Management, specialising in project design, planning, and implementation. For Dr Naserian, the achievement is more than an academic milestone; it is a tool to serve her community better.

“Education gives you knowledge, skills, and leadership. It helps you understand systems, policies, and how to deliver better services in our line of duty,” she said.

Why Dr Margaret Naserian Pursued a PhD

Currently serving as the Sub-County Commander for Dagoretti South, Dr Naserian says her academic journey was driven by a desire to understand leadership, policy, and service delivery within the police.

In an interview with Citizen TV on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, she also challenged the long-held perception that police officers lack formal education. She highlighted reforms introduced under the 2010 Constitution, which opened the door to graduate recruitment into the National Police Service.

“Since the 2010 Constitution established the National Police Service, graduate recruitment has increased. I was among 200 graduates recruited in 2011, out of 4,000 enlisted officers,” she explained.

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Dr Naserian added that education directly influences leadership and career growth within the service, equipping officers with the skills to make a real impact.

How She Joined the Police Service

Born in Ilasit, Kajiado County, Dr Margaret Naserian excelled in school, earning a B+ at St. Clair Girls Secondary School, which secured her entry into the University of Nairobi in 2004. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work in 2009.

For the Dagoretti South Sub-County Commander, joining the disciplined services was not initially on her radar. It was the reforms and recruitment campaigns by the National Police Service that caught her attention.

“I had never imagined becoming a police officer. But when I learned about the graduate recruitment, I thought, why not try?”

She was recruited in May 2011 and underwent 21 months of intensive training, including a six-month leadership course for graduates.

Balancing Academia, Career, and Family

Even as she rose through the ranks, Dr. Naserian returned to school, earning a master’s degree in 2017 and a PhD in 2025, all while raising three children and serving in demanding roles.

“There were many challenges. You are a mother, a student, and a police officer, all at once. But once you know what you want, you stay focused,” she said.

Dr Naserian acknowledges that women face unique challenges in policing. But she believes women bring essential qualities such as empathy, emotional intelligence, and community engagement, aligning with modern, people-centred policing.

“Women are not weak. We bring understanding, discussion, and empathy, which are essential in modern policing,” she said.

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As Sub-County Commander for Dagoretti South, she oversees critical infrastructure, security operations, and community engagement, working closely with chiefs, officers, and other government agencies.

“Our role is to ensure the safety of life and property so that people can go about their daily lives uninterrupted,” she explained.

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Photo of Dr Margaret Naserian receiving an award during UON’s 73rd graduation. PHOTO/Naserian