Ummi Bashir is the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Culture, Arts, and Heritage.
Her appointment is significant, as she is among the youngest individuals to assume this role and the only Muslim woman serving as Principal Secretary in President William Ruto’s administration.
Originating from Wajir County, Ummi’s rise to a leadership position reflects her dedication, hard work, and resilience.
She is a qualified lawyer, having been admitted to the bar as an advocate in 2012.
Additionally, she possesses a Master’s degree in Armed Conflict and Peace from the University of Nairobi and is currently pursuing doctoral studies in International Relations.
Ummi is also a committed mother of three, adeptly balancing her family obligations with the demands of her prominent governmental position.
As the second of nine siblings, her childhood involved frequent moves across different counties due to her father’s career as a water engineer.
“I grew up in Wajir, but my dad was constantly transferred. We moved to different places – Isiolo, Mandera, and Garissa – as part of his job,” she explained.
Ummi’s educational journey commenced in Nairobi after her family moved to the city.
She attended Westlands Primary School while her father worked at the Ministry of Water and her mother taught at a special school in Kileleshwa.
Following her primary education at Al Huda in Kajiado, she advanced to Moi Girls in Isinya for her secondary studies.
From an early age, Ummi harbored a strong passion for law, which inspired her to pursue a law degree upon completing her secondary education.
After graduating, she embarked on a varied career that took her across multiple organizations and countries.
Her professional journey began with an internship at CARE International in Hargeisa, Somalia, and subsequently included a position with the Ministry of East African Community.
Ummi’s career also featured roles with several United Nations agencies, such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Furthermore, she held the position of chief officer for public service and labor in the Mombasa and Wajir county governments.
In 2020, Ummi ventured into politics by joining the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), where she was appointed vice chairperson of the party’s national elections board, thereby securing a prominent position within the political sphere.
This unexpected involvement ultimately culminated in her appointment as Principal Secretary.
“I had no idea I would be serving as a PS. It was the least of my expectations. But I always wanted to be someone of substance in the community,” she stated.
Ummi’s appointment by Ruto came as a surprise; she was at home having lunch with her father and husband at the time the announcement was made.
“I couldn’t believe it. I was shocked. Positions like these are usually held by people with more experience, PhDs, and strong political connections. I was just a girl in her thirties, trying to find my place in this world,” she said.
