Joseph Magutt


Joseph Magutt is a Kenyan academic, diplomat and geopolitical consultant. He was appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta as ambassador Extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the Federal Republic of Germany with accreditation in Romania and Bulgaria in August 2014.[1][2] His diplomatic appointment under the new constitution was for the first time in the history of Kenya subjected to vetting and approval by parliament of the republic of Kenya.[3]

Joseph Magutt
Joseph Magutt (center) with Richard Grenell and Matt Lashey, 4th of July 2018 in Berlin

Until his ambassadorial appointment, Magutt was lecturer of political science at Kenyatta University. He also taught on part time, graduate and undergraduate classes in several universities among them: the United States International University, Moi University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and Egerton University.

Early Life and Education

Magutt was brought up in Eldoret–Kitale districts in Kenya’s Rift Valley. His mother Pauline Cherotich, a devout Christian raised her children based on strict Christian values, following the demise of her husband Kimagutt Koross. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Kenyatta University and soon after proceeded for further studies. While pursuing his undergraduate studies Magutt took interest in student politics and contested for student presidency. It was during this period that he was drawn into national debates and politics, a platform that enabled him to meet and interact with influential political as well as institutional leaders among them: Daniel Arap Moi, George Eshiwani,[4] Raila Odinga, Kenneth Matiba among other. These interactions would later influence his leadership and political engagement.

Diplomatic Career

The recast of Kenya’s foreign policy in the post Cold War order placed economic diplomacy as its central pillar in its bilateral and international engagements. This diplomatic philosophy primarily informed Magutt’s engagement during his tour of duty. Magutt, initiated as one of his first-to-do assignment the official visit by president Uhuru Kenyatta to Germany after almost 20 years since a Kenyan head of state had visited Germany officially or privately. The arrival of president Uhuru Kenyatta in Germany on a three-day (6 - 8 April 2016) state visit on the invitation of Chancellor Angela Merkel was a reaffirmation of the cordial and excellent bilateral ties between Kenya and Germany. The talks between the two leaders centered on trade, foreign investment and security.[5]

The return of the German car maker Volkswagen (VW) to the Kenyan market after four decades could not have been Magutt’s moment of pride in his diplomatic career. His efforts culminated in the commissioning of the automobile assembly plant in Thika by president Uhuru Kenyatta in December 2016. In line with Kenya’s development blue print and Vision 2030, such an investment was welcome in spurring the manufacturing sector as well as creating job opportunities.

Magutt successfully lobbied for Kenya to host the first ever German–Africa Business Summit in the African continent that brought together leading German companies and captains of the industry as well as African business entities and policy makers to Nairobi. The event which took place from 8-10 February 2017, brought together the who is who in Germany‘s business landscape and was thought to have generated German investment interest in Kenya. The German delegation was led by Gerd Muller, cabinet minister for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Magutt, negotiated for the resumption of direct Lufthansa passenger flights from Frankfurt to Nairobi ending an 18-year hiatus. This development has had positive impact on Kenya’s tourism and business traffic particularly considering that Germany is a key market source of tourism to the former.

Magutt enjoyed close working relations with German leadership and worked closely with Chancellor Angela Merkel as well as members of parliament especially the Bundestag, as well as the key private sector entities viz SAFRI, IHK, KFW, BDI, Afrika Verein, a fact that enabled him to advance Kenya’s interests.

Media and professional engagements

Magutt analyzes local and international issues in the provinces of politics, conflict and international relations. He contributes to various media locally and internationally, including Voice of America,[6][7][8][9][10][11] Kenya Television Network (KTN), Nation Television (NTV),[12] Classic FM, Kiss 100 FM, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) TV/Radio, Kass FM etc.

Magutt also writes on local and international political and topical issues. His articles frequently feature in mainstream newspapers and magazines in Kenya. These include: Daily Nation,[13] The Standard,[14] and The People and Management Magazine.

Role in Kenya's politics and leadership

Magutt was a member of the Orange Democratic Movement- Party of Kenya (ODM) campaign team in 2007 and contributed in strategy and writing of the party manifesto.[15] Magutt is the patron of the Joseph Magutt Foundation.

In 2002 Joseph Magutt was nationally nominated KTN’s person of the year under forty, in what was billed "TOP 40 UNDER 40". This was a national survey of young people who have played significant national role and have distinguished themselves in leadership and influenced the lives of many positively. The nominees were voted by the public nationally.

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References
  1. "New diplomats ordered to cut extravagance". Daily Nation. Retrieved 2020-03-01.
  2. Wesonga, Michael. "Uhuru lauded for picking Magut". The Standard. Retrieved 2020-03-01.
  3. "MPs disagree on three of Uhuru diplomatic nominees". Business Daily. Retrieved 2020-03-01.
  4. "Mathematician who juggled academia and politics". Business Daily. Retrieved 2020-03-01.
  5. "Uhuru arrives in Germany for trade talks". Daily Nation. Retrieved 2020-03-02.
  6. "Kenya Bans Live Media Broadcasts". VOA. Retrieved 2017-11-16.
  7. audio interview with VOA’s reporter Peter Clottey – Joseph Magoott a Nairobi political analyst
  8. "Kenya Bans Live Media Broadcasts – Interview by Peter Clottey". VOA News. 31 December 2007.
  9. ",Kenyans Demand End to Violence – interview with VOA's reporter Peter Clottey". VOA News. 31 January 2008.
  10. "Kenya Electoral Commission Meets to Address Alleged Vote Buying – interview with VOA's reporter Peter Clottey". VOA News. 18 October 2007.
  11. "Defections Are a Huge Blow for Kibaki – interview with VOA's reporter Peter Clottey". VOA News. 14 October 2007.
  12. "Move the Capital City to a More Central Location". Archived from the original on 2009-12-23. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
  13. "America could be the main loser in the diplomatic spat". Daily Nation. September 30, 2009. Retrieved 2010-07-24.
  14. "Rift Valley questions key to truth team's work".
  15. ODM party manifesto Archived 2008-04-27 at the Wayback Machine
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