Former Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet has officially assumed the role of Kenya’s National Security Advisor in a handover ceremony from Monica Juma at the University of Nairobi on Tuesday, April 14. Juma is transitioning to a new position at the United Nations. Boinnet will advise President William Ruto on security matters.
Joseph Boinnet officially assumed the role of National Security Advisor during a handover ceremony from Monica Juma this morning at the University of Nairobi. European Union Ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger shared a message stating, “Kenyan National Security Adviser Ambassador Monica Juma hands over the baton of her office to Joseph Boinnet this morning at the University of Nairobi. Ambassador Juma shared her insights on multilateralism and Kenya’s role in shaping a new global rules-based order.”
Boinnet, appointed as Deputy National Security Advisor by President William Ruto in 2023, now serves as the top security advisor to the National Security Council and the President. Prior to that, he ventured into politics during the 2022 general elections, seeking the Elgeyo Marakwet gubernatorial seat but losing in the UDA party nominations. At the end of his tenure as Inspector General in 2019, former President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed him as Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism.
Monica Juma has left the position to take up roles as Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV). The appointment was announced by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on March 7.
In his new role, Boinnet will advise the President on national security policies, integrating domestic, foreign, and military strategies, and overseeing the functioning of security organs. The position focuses on advising on threats to sovereignty, conducting annual security reviews, and facilitating the National Security Council’s mandate under Article 240 of the Constitution.