Kenyan’s PhD Thesis on Counter-Terrorism Wins Top Honor in New Zealand

At the age of 25, Dr. Shirley Gabriella Achieng set two goals for herself: to be married and to earn a PhD by 35.

These aspirations were particularly challenging given the societal expectations she faced. However, her determination led her to not only achieve but remarkably surpass these objectives. In February of this year, Achieng’s doctoral thesis, titled “Towards an Indigenous African Approach to Counterterrorism in Kenya,” received the prestigious Exceptional Thesis status for the Humanities Division from the University of Otago in New Zealand. This achievement marked a significant milestone, as Achieng became the first Kenyan to receive such recognition. She subsequently graduated with her doctorate in May, officially earning the title of Dr. Shirley Achieng.

Achieng’s academic journey began in Oyugis, Homa Bay County, Kenya, where she was raised by her single mother alongside two siblings. Despite the challenges of her upbringing, Achieng found solace and inspiration in books from an early age. Her paternal grandfather, an academic himself, played a crucial role in nurturing her love for reading, laying the foundation for her future scholarly pursuits. It was during her high school years that Achieng discovered her passion for politics and international affairs, with history emerging as her favourite subject. This interest led her to pursue a degree in Political Science and Public Administration at Maasai Mara University, followed by a Master’s degree in Diplomacy in International Relations at the United States International University (USIU).

After completing her Master’s degree in 2017 at the age of 28, Achieng’s professional life took precedence, and her PhD aspirations temporarily receded. However, her ambition was rekindled, and she successfully applied to study Peace and Conflict at the University of Otago in New Zealand. Despite grappling with imposter syndrome, Achieng persevered, driven by her goal to obtain a PhD by age 35. Achieng’s doctoral thesis represents a groundbreaking contribution to the field of counterterrorism. Her work challenges conventional Western approaches, advocating for the adoption of indigenous African methods in addressing terrorism in Kenya.

Her approach not only questions the dominance of Western paradigms but also opens new avenues for research and practice in the field of counterterrorism. As Kenya continues to face terrorist threats, Achieng’s work offers valuable insights that could inform more culturally relevant and effective security strategies.