Robinson Gichuhi

INTRODUCTION

Robinson Gichuhi was born in Kiambu District, Kenya. He is an avid community organizer and has shown his zeal to assist anyone during his tenure (2000-2007) as President of the Kenya Welfare Association (headquartered in Saint Louis, Missouri, United States). Mr. Gichuhi's term as President of the association ended in November of 2007.

Mr. Gichuhi attended the University of Nairobi, Kenya; and the [University of Missouri - St. Louis] U.S.A.

Robinson Gichuhi entered the race for the Kikuyu Constituency seat during the Kenya General Election, 2007 but did not win. He plans to run again at the General Election, 2012. Mr. Gichuhi believes that Kenya is yet to see true leadership. He believes that excessive government waste, corruption, a total lack of focus on the tax-payer and lack of proper planning, continue to plague the Kenyan landscape. He also believes in getting involved in the political process instead of complaining about it from afar.

Mr. Gichuhi is also a co-founder and Chairman of a political party - Kenya African Peoples Empowerment (KAPE). He is also the Chairman of the Kenya Development Agency (KDA).

Early Life

Born in Gikambura Sub-Location of Kinoo Location of Kiambu District, Robinson is the eldest son of Jared G. Gichuhi (deceased) and Eddah N. Gichuhi. He was educated at the prestigious Thogoto Junior Academy (now Musa Gitau Primary School) between 1972 and 1978).  Mr. Gichuhi would proceed to study at the prestigious Lenana School for 6 years (“O” and “A” Level) from 1979 to 1984 obtaining a score that would land him a spot in the University of Nairobi (UON) to study Economics and Political Science.

Education & International Interests

Mr. Gichuhi’s interests in international developmental projects would be cultivated while a student at UON when he joined and eventually rose to become the Marketing Coordinator of AIESEC  - Kenya.  Mr. Gichuhi would then proceed to add to his credentials at the University of Missouri - St. Louis, Missouri.

His zeal for international exposure and development would be further developed during travels and leadership development seminars in Finland, Norway, Sweden, Germany and the United States. When Mr. Gichuhi finally landed a permanent position with AT&T in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA, he was eager to contribute to the local community and became a co-founder and president of the Kenya Welfare Association. He would hold the president’s position until his tenure was up in 2007.

Community Service Achievements

Robinson Gichuhi’s community involvement was centered on the doctrine of self-help based on unity. “Umoja Ni Nguvu” meaning “Unity is Strength.”   Based on a teamwork approach, Mr. Gichuhi would be instrumental in developing a communications system within the Kenya community in the mid-western part of the United States that would form the basis for many successes when the community needed to come together to deal with issues. From weddings to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement issues, the unity concept would be instrumental in raising funds to meet various challenges.

The Kenya Welfare Association

The Kenya Welfare Association [see www.kenyawelfare.org] (KWA) is a Saint Louis, Missouri-based not-for-profit organization formed for the purpose of enhancement of Kenyans living, studying and working in the mid-western part of the United States through co-operation and formation of strategic alliances. KWA aims to promote a Kenyan community where members support each other to achieve common goals that will benefit the entire community whilst attaining individual goals.

"UMOJA NI NGUVU."

KWA also endeavors to integrate members of the Kenyan community with the wider American community, via cooperation with government, non-governmental and social welfare agencies. The association does this via well-developed programs that connect the member to professional groups and to various groups. This is done via networking for career and business development, updates on immigration data, church integration and development, as well as organized sports and social functions.

Mr. Gichuhi's commitment since 1993 towards the primary goal connecting newly arrived and current members of the Kenyan community with those who have more experience and connections in the United States so as to help them make the best of their time in the U.S., remained unwavered since he joined the organization. As a leader, Mr. Gichuhi was able to keep the organization going, at times even if with a skeleton crew. The demands on his time were high. He would be at most crisis meetings, wedding committee meetings, community discussion meetings and even attended United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Proceedings to support and lend moral support for members facing deportation or immigration problems.

This kind of commitment is hard to come by, and when Mr. Gichuhi handed over leadership of the association in November of 2007, his words of advice centered on two words, "stay strong."

Kenya Politics

Robinson Gichuhi apparently is not finished. He has decided that he had done his work for Kenyans and their friends in the United States. He believes that more work lays ahead in Kenya. After several visits to Kenya in the recent past, it is apparent to Mr. Gichuhi and others like himself that Kenya is still in dire straits in terms of infrastructure and development. He has started a new development program under the auspices of the Kenya Development Agency (KDA) for the benefit of his constituents and also became co-founder and President of a political party - Kenya African People Empowerment (KAPE). The fight continues.

The referenced fight is one against poverty, unemployment, poor infrastructure and a poor environmental program. Under the auspices of the Kenya Development Agency, Mr. Gichuhi is committed towards a better landscape and continues to focus on assisting his country folk alleviate their standards of living. Based on his zeal, motivation and enthusiasm, it is just a matter of time before results become evident.

Kenya's Vision 2030

Kenya Vision 2030, is a scheme to raise annual GDP by 10% as was unveiled by Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki on October 30, 2006 [8] . The prudent management of the Kenyan economy under Mwai Kibaki has seen continued Kenya GDP growth during 4 straight years from a low 0.6% (real -1.6%) in 2002 to 3% in 2003, 4.9% in 2004, 5.8% in 2005 and 6% in 2006. GDP growth of 7% in is projected for 2007, a very significant recovery from total decay during the Daniel Moi regime. Prior to the Kibaki regime, all sectors of the economy were nearing total collapse. As a direct result of the consistent reforms undertaken by Kibaki's government, infrastructure rebuilding has been going on in earnest, and all the sectors of the economy have recovered [http://www.planning.go.ke/] . If this vision is to be realized in all corners of the Kenyan landscape, grass-roots involvement will have to take place. It is not enough to unveil glamorous Kenya-wide development programs without a commitment from the local leadership. This is where devoted 21st Century visionaries like Mr. Robinson Gichuhi come in. Using an international strategy of support by bringing new ideas on employment creation, alternative energy sources and education, a new Kikuyu and Kenya can be created.

The 2007-2008 Kenya crisis set the tone for some of the long time underlying issues that still resonate within various communities in Kenya. The targeted ethnic violence (as opposed to violent protests) escalated and at first was directed mainly against Kikuyu people,is a true manifestation of what must be addressed-land inequity, unemployment, poverty and inequality. Robinson promises is currently addressing related issues under his development program.

Private Life

Robinson Gichuhi married Jacinta Gichuhi in March 2000. They have a home in Kabete and believe that you cannot live in another constituency and them claim to be a proponent of another constituency. The couple believes that you must talk the talk and walk the walk. Interestingly, most Members of Parliament in Kenya do not live in their constituencies. This generally means that the MPs do not know the real issues that need attention. Robinson Gichuhi is known to be a keen outdoor person and avid golfer and has memberships around the world. He belongs to the Presbyterian Church.

See also

2007–2008 Kenyan crisis

References

----Kenya Welfare Association [http://www.kenyawelfare.org]

Electoral Commission of Kenya [http://www.eck.or.ke/]