Monica Juma
Dr. Monica Juma (born 1963) is a Kenyan diplomat who currently serves as Kenya's Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary. She previously served as the Cabinet Secretary for Defence in the Republic of Kenya. Career. Before assuming this position in February 2018, Juma served as the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) between January 2016 and February 2018. She served as the Principal Secretary in the Department of Interior, Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government where she led a team that drove reforms and transformation of the national security policy, architecture and operations  within the National Administration, the Immigration and Registration of Persons departments, as well as the National Police Service. She also initiated work that led to the development of Kenya's strategy on Counter-Terrorism and Violent Extremism and creation of multi-agencies approach in tackling security challenges. Collectively, these measures reduced Kenya's vulnerability to terrorist attacks, remarkably and restored security across the country. In addition, the efforts laid a sound foundation for the continuing improvement of public safety and security. Prior to serving in the Ministry of Interior, Juma served as the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Defence  where she was instrumental in strengthening the business process systems within the ministry, clarifying the strategic orientation and bolstering the professional stature of the Kenya Defence Forces. Education. Juma studied at University of Nairobi for her BA and MA and University of Oxford, Certificate in Refugee Studies and where she also attained her Doctorate in Philosophy. Juma has a long career in the diplomatic service, having served as Kenya's concurrent ambassador to Ethiopia, Djibouti, the African Union, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), based out of Addis Ababa. On  27 June 2013, she was sworn in as the Principal Secretary, in the Kenya Ministry of Defence, serving in that capacity until she was moved to the Kenya Ministry of the Interior, as Principal Secretary. Other considerations. Juma is a senior research fellow in the Department of Political Science, at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. She is also an adjunct faculty member at the African Centre for Strategic Studies of the National Defense University, in Washington DC in the United States of America. She has written and published extensively on the subjects of her specialization. Monica Juma Dr.