By Isaac Blessings
The National Police Service (NPS) has for the longest time been deemed as a career for least educated Kenyans. In fact, NPS recruits young people who have scored a mean grade of D+ (D Plus) in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations. However, in recent years we’ve witnessed a few police officers who are determined to change this narrative as they scale the education ladder. In this article, we take a look at some of the most educated police officers in Kenya.
Dr. Musa Ambuchi, PhD
Dr. Musa Ambuchi is a police constable – the lowest rank within the police department but possesses a PhD in Psychology. The soft spoken police officer is among the security detail of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and has been working with him since 2008. The 41 year old did his Bachelor’s Degree in Christian Counselling and Masters in Counselling Psychology at Rengent University which has a branch in Kenya. In 2012, Ambuchi sat for his Doctor of Philosophy exams at the same university and passed. He also holds a graduate diploma in Project Management from Kampala University. In an interview with KTN News, Dr Ambuchi said that he is not going to stop until he becomes a professor.
Dr. Resilla A. Onyango, PhD
Dr. Resila Onyango is the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and currently the Deputy Director of planning at the Office of the Inspector General of Police. She recently hit the headlines after graduating with a Doctorate Degree convincingly becoming the first female officer in the history of the National Police Service to reach such a level.
She graduated with a degree in Education from Moi University before joining the police in 2003. She was taken to Kenya Police Training College Kiganjo where she emerged as the best overall female recruit which earned her the Cane of Honor award from the President. The Lwak Girls High School alumni did her Masters in Criminology at the University of Pennsylvania under the Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program. She later earned her PHD and MPhil in Criminal Justice from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice at The City University of New York under the CUNY Graduate Center Doctorate Fellowship.
Also Read: Dr. Resila Onyango Biography: Breaks 115 Year Record By Becoming first Female Police With PhD
Constable Amos Gakuo
Constable Amos Gakuo who is a former Form Four Leaver is the latest officer to join the list of highly educated police. The news of Constable Amos acquiring a Masters was made public by activist Boniface Mwangi who took to twitter to congratulate him. Kenyans took the news positively and everyone was happy and proud of him for the big achievement. Gakuo has served in the police unit for 13 years now and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology and a Masters in Counselling psychology from the prestigious University of Nairobi.
Simon Mwangi Wanderi
Simon Mwangi Wanderi was on December 17th awarded Doctor of Philosophy in International Relations and Diplomacy from Kenyatta University. Wanderi serves as the director of personnel in the Directorate of Criminal Investigation within the National Police Service. His new academic achievement will see him get a promotion after the Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai announcing that the promotion list will be released soon.
Also Read: Hillary Mutyambai Biography, Age, Education, Career, Marriage And Illness
Chief Inspector Mburu Maina
Chief Inspector Mburu Maina works at the Personnel Directorate at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Kenya. On Thursday 17th December, he graduated with a PhD in Human Resource Management from Kenyatta University. Mburu also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Moi University as well as a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management from the Kenya National Examination Council. He is also a licensed Human Resource Practitioner by the Institute of Human Resource Management.
Boniface Otieno
Boniface Otieno also graduated during the 66th graduation ceremony of the University of Nairobi on Thursday, December 17th. Otieno successfully graduated with a Masters Degree in Peace Studies and Armed Conflicts. He has served in the National Police Service for 25 years and has undergone various specialized training both locally and internationally. The training includes Traffic Management and Road Safety at Zhejing Police College in China and Fleet Management, Road Safety and Defensive Driving at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).
He has also participated in several committees and task forces dealing with road transport safety and management as well as lecturing in several government agencies such as DCI Academy, NTSA Academy and Kenya National Highways Authority. Otieno is currently working with Nairobi Metropolitan Services as an enforcement officer dealing with training and traffic operations.
