Ruto’s advisor Monica Juma appointed Head of UN office
Ruto's advisor Monica Juma appointed Head of UN office
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Monica Kathina Juma of Kenya as the new Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV).
She succeeds Ghada Fathi Waly of Egypt, whom the Secretary-General praised for her dedicated service.
John Brandolino, Director of the Division for Treaty Affairs at UNODC, will continue to serve as Acting Executive Director of UNODC and Acting Director-General of UNOV until Juma formally assumes her roles.
Juma brings extensive experience in diplomacy, governance, and security. She is currently serving as the National Security Adviser to the President of Kenya and Secretary to the National Security Council, a role she has held since 2022.
Her career in public service spans strategic Cabinet positions, including the Ministry of Energy (2021-2022), Ministry of Defence (2020-2021), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2018-2020), and as Acting Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Petroleum and Mining in 2022.
She also served as Principal Secretary in several ministries, including Foreign Affairs (2016-2018), Interior and Coordination of National Government (2014-2016), and Defence (2013-2014).
Her diplomatic assignments include serving as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kenya to Ethiopia and Djibouti, as well as Permanent Representative to the African Union, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) between 2010 and 2013.
Juma’s academic background is equally distinguished. She holds a PhD from the University of Oxford, United Kingdom, earned between 1998 and 2000, and both a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts in Government and Public Administration from the University of Nairobi, obtained in 1991 and 1987, respectively.
She has also contributed to research and policy development as Executive Director at the Research Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA) from 2008 to 2010, and at the Africa Policy Institute from 2006 to 2008.
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She has taught as an Adjunct Faculty Member at the African Centre for Strategic Studies, National Defence University in Washington DC since 2002, and worked as a Senior Researcher and Policy Analyst at Safer Africa between 2002 and 2006.
Her appointment to UNODC and UNOV places her at the helm of critical global initiatives addressing drugs, crime, and international security.
Secretary-General Guterres expressed confidence in Juma’s leadership, citing her “depth of expertise, experience and knowledge spanning public policy making, execution and academia across critical areas of security, diplomacy and governance.
Her appointment marks a significant milestone for Kenya in international diplomacy and global governance, highlighting the country’s growing influence in multilateral organisations.
Juma will take over from Waly after the transition period under Brandolino’s acting leadership, ushering in a new era for the UN offices in Vienna and advancing the Organisation’s mission in addressing global crime and drug-related challenges.
The appointment was announced on March 6, 2026, and is expected to strengthen UNODC’s efforts in policy development, coordination, and international cooperation in combating transnational crime.
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