Senior assistant county commissioner steals show at Nairobi Jukwaa La Usalama

It was not just the personal standing ovation she received from the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Kipchumba Murkomen. 

It was her commanding clarity of thought, her eloquence on inclusion of People Living with Disability in the  security sector, and her consistent record of engaging citizens as a National Government Administrative Officer (NGAO) that made her steal the moment at the forum.

Meet Senior Assistant County Commissioner Jane Theuri, a leader who has redefined public service with intellect, courage, and heart. Her opening words captured the spirit of the gathering:

“I want to begin by thanking our Cabinet Secretary Mr. Kipchumba Murkomen for making it possible for us to converge here to speak the truth without fear or favour.”

The room fell into a hush. Every word, measured and clear, resonated with her lived experience and professional authority.

The Jukwaa la Usalama, an initiative spearheaded by CS Murkomen, is an open dialogue forum where ranks are set aside, citizens, senior security officers, and state agencies meet as equals, engaging directly without the risk of ‘broken telephone.’ Its bold intention is to confront and resolve the underlying security issues that have long proven difficult to tackle.

With poise, she spoke not just for herself but for fellow Assistant County Commissioners, NGAOs, and persons living with disabilities. Her voice was unwavering: 

“When you see me here, I am here on merit. I am well educated. We are educated. We may not exemplify physical dexterity, but mentally, our dexterity is top tier. If given the chance, we can achieve remarkable things.” She pressed her point even further: “We can advise you on our issues. We are learned and equal to the task. All we are asking for is a chance to prove ourselves. You would rather give us a chance and we fail, rather than failing to give us a chance.” The declaration was met with thunderous applause. 

With a Master’s degree in Social and Political Science (African Studies) from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, she has translated her academic grounding into practical leadership, navigating complex governance challenges with clarity and fairness.

Behind the extraordinary gesture of recognition lies a decade of dedicated service. As the Senior Assistant County Commissioner for Dagoretti South Sub-County, Nairobi, Theuri has consistently demonstrated that public administration is not only about enforcement but also about empathy, mediation, and problem-solving. 

“Yes, we were promoted the other day, and we are truly grateful. But some of us need to be given our flowers while we still can, while we are relatively young and energetic. CS, kindly do something. We want representation. We are well educated, we have the ability, and all we are asking for is a chance. A chance to serve. Mine is to request the Cabinet Secretary, we want to see representation of persons with disabilities, in all carders, in highly remunerative activities taking place in the country, we do not have representation of people living with disabilities.”

She then turned her appeal into a challenge for her own ministry, “Do we have a disaggregated list, a database, of all PWDs in NGAO across the years? I joined in 2015, but I know many of us served long before, some from as far back as the 1990s. What I do know is that from the 2015 intake of more than 700 recruits, only about four of us are PWDs, and we know each other. That is why I felt the need to stand here and voice some of our concerns.”

True to the ethos of the forum, Theuri used the platform to call for deeper inclusivity. Addressing Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja  directly, she posed a question that struck at the heart of representation: 

“Governor Sakaja, out of all the CECs and Chief Officers, is there any representation of persons with disabilities? We have not seen it. Representation must not be about token nominations. We are here on merit. We are educated.” Her challenge was bold, unapologetic, and necessary, holding leaders accountable while affirming that inclusion must be deliberate and genuine.

Her intervention added weight to a forum that also carried strong policy outcomes. CS Murkomen used the platform to announce plans to decentralize Nairobi’s security management, enhance inclusion,  community policing, and increase patrols in crime-prone areas.

“We are confident that the operational and policy changes arising from Jukwaa la Usalama will address inclusion and Nairobi’s security challenges,” he said, underscoring the government’s pledge to strengthen collaboration between national security agencies and county leadership.

Yet beyond her titles and credentials, Theuri is known for her deep connection to people. She recalls a case in 2019 when a couple, doubtful of her ability to help, came to her office in distress. 

“They judged me at face value the moment they saw me,” she recalls. “But by the end of our conversation, they walked out hand in hand, smiling. That is what I live for in this job.” For her, leadership is about listening, mediating, and ensuring dignity in every interaction. Her philosophy is simple, yet profound: “The worst disability is having a negative attitude. Change your attitude, and you will always be a step ahead.”

Theuri also refuses to be boxed in by the rigid image of a uniformed officer. She values work-life balance and embraces her vibrant, extroverted personality. Known to light up dance floors and social spaces with her energy, she insists that joy is as much a part of life as duty. 

“I respect the boundaries of being in a disciplined force, but outside office hours, I must also live my life. I love to dance. Most of the time, that is what you will find me doing.”

In a hall filled with applause, it was Jane Theuri’s clarity, conviction, and courage that stood out, affirming her as a trailblazer of inclusive leadership and a fearless advocate for the rightful place of persons with disabilities in the security sector.