Joseph Magutt

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,{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Mathematician-who-juggled-academia-and-politics/539444-2680960-8x5jucz/index.html|title=Mathematician who juggled academia and politics|date=|website=Business Daily|access-date=2020-03-01|last3=2015 19:56}} Raila Odinga, Kenneth Matiba among other.

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.{{Cite web|title=Angela Merkel Meets Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images|url=https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/angela-merkel-meets-kenyan-president-uhuru-kenyatta?mediatype=photography&phrase=angela%20merkel%20meets%20kenyan%20president%20uhuru%20kenyatta&sort=mostpopular|access-date=2020-10-07|website=gettyimages.com}}{{Cite web|title=President Kenyatta arrives in Germany for official visit {{!}} The Presidency|url=https://www.president.go.ke/2016/04/06/president-kenyatta-arrives-in-germany-for-official-visit/|access-date=2020-10-07|website=president.go.ke|archive-date=2020-10-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008152822/https://www.president.go.ke/2016/04/06/president-kenyatta-arrives-in-germany-for-official-visit/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|last=Welle (www.dw.com)|first=Deutsche|title=Kenya's president talks terrorism with Merkel in Berlin {{!}} DW {{!}} 06.04.2016|url=https://www.dw.com/en/kenyas-president-talks-terrorism-with-merkel-in-berlin/a-19170136|access-date=2020-10-10|website=DW.COM|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|title=Kenya is a strategic partner country says Angela Merkel|url=https://www.bundeskanzlerin.de/bkin-en/news/kenya-is-a-strategic-partner-country-says-angela-merkel-337016|access-date=2020-10-10|website=www.bundeskanzlerin.de|date=6 April 2016 }} The talks between the two leaders centered on trade, foreign investment and security.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nation.co.ke/news/Uhuru-arrives-in-Germany-for-trade-talks/1056-3148860-11c7inu/index.html|title=Uhuru arrives in Germany for trade talks|website=Daily Nation|language=en|access-date=2020-03-02}}{{Cite web|last=mkenyaujerumani|title=Uhuru Kenyatta's Visit to Germany in Summary – Mkenya Ujerumani|date=8 April 2016 |url=https://mkenyaujerumani.de/2016/04/08/uhuru-kenyattas-visit-to-germany-in-summary/|access-date=2020-10-07|language=en-US}}

The return of the German car maker Volkswagen (VW) to the Kenyan market after four decades could not have been Magutt's significant moment in his diplomatic career. His efforts culminated in the commissioning of the automobile assembly plant in Thika by president Uhuru Kenyatta in December 2016.{{Cite web|title=Uhuru inaugurates Volkswagen production facility in Thika|url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2016-12-21-uhuru-inaugurates-volkswagen-production-facility-in-thika/|access-date=2020-10-07|website=The Star|language=en-KE}}{{Cite web|date=2016-12-22|title=Kenyatta welcomes return of #Volkswagen production to Kenya {{!}} Africa Times|url=https://africatimes.com/2016/12/22/kenyatta-welcomes-return-of-volkswagen-production-to-kenya/|access-date=2020-10-07|website=africatimes.com|language=en-US}}{{Cite news |title=Volkswagen moves into Kenya, Rwanda|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1166401/volkswagen-moves-into-kenya-rwanda|access-date=2020-10-07|newspaper=Bangkok Post|date=23 December 2016 }}{{Cite web|title=German carmaker VW to begin assembling cars in Kenya|url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/business/german-carmaker-vw-to-begin-assembling-cars-in-kenya-1355004|access-date=2020-10-10|website=The East African|language=en}} 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 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-v09V9jx6w 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.{{Cite web|date=2017-01-17|title=Second German-African Business Summit to hold in Nairobi, Kenya|url=https://www.theafricancourier.de/business/second-german-african-business-summit-to-hold-in-nairobi-kenya/|access-date=2020-10-07|website=THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora!|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=mkenyaujerumani|title=Second German-African Business Summit (GABS) Kicks-Off in Nairobi – Mkenya Ujerumani|date=8 February 2017 |url=https://mkenyaujerumani.de/2017/02/08/second-german-african-business-summit-gabs-kicks-off-in-nairobi/|access-date=2020-10-07|language=en-US}} 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).{{Cite web|last=Welle (www.dw.com)|first=Deutsche|title=Germany urges more investments in Africa {{!}} DW {{!}} 10.02.2017|url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-urges-more-investments-in-africa/a-37496819|access-date=2020-10-07|website=DW.COM|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|title=G20germany {{!}} G20 {{!}} New economic partnership with Africa|url=http://www.g20germany.de/Content/EN/Artikel/2017/02_en/2017-02-09-mueller-und-zypries-afrika_en.html|access-date=2020-10-07|website=g20germany.de}} Magutt, negotiated for the resumption of direct Lufthansa passenger flights from Frankfurt to Nairobi ending an 18-year hiatus.{{Cite web|title=Lufthansa returns to Nairobi after 18-year absence|url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/business/lufthansa-returns-to-nairobi-after-18-year-absence-1336928|access-date=2020-10-06|website=The East African|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Germany's Lufthansa to resume Nairobi flights|url=https://nairobinews.nation.co.ke/hustle/germanys-lufthansa-to-resume-nairobi-flights|access-date=2020-10-06|website=Nairobi News|date=12 June 2015 |language=en-US}} 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, [https://salontp.german-pavilion.com/en/contact/19013/ Afrika Verein]{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, a fact that enabled him to advance Kenya's interests.

Magutt was a member of the Orange Democratic Movement- Party of Kenya (ODM) campaign team in 2007 and contributed in campaign planning, strategy and writing of the party manifesto towards Raila Odinga's presidential bid in the 2007 general election[http://kenyavotes.org/node/107 ODM party manifesto] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080427184251/http://www.kenyavotes.org/node/107|date=2008-04-27}}{{Failed verification|date=July 2010}}

In 2019 Magutt announced that he will contest the seat of Governor for Trans - Nzoia County in the 2022 national elections.

In 2002 Joseph Magutt was nationally nominated KTN's person of the year under forty, in what was billed [http://www.berlinglobal.org/index.php?kenya "TOP 40 UNDER 40"]. This was a national survey of young people who had played significant national role and had distinguished themselves in leadership and influenced the lives of many positively. The nominees were voted by the public nationally.{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}}

Magutt comments on local and international political and topical debates. His contributions feature in Kenya's leading newspapers such as the Daily Nation,{{Cite web|url=http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/Opinion/-/440808/665770/-/item/1/-/u4itim/-/index.html|title=America could be the main loser in the diplomatic spat|publisher=Daily Nation|date=September 30, 2009|accessdate=2010-07-24|archive-date=2012-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120924034204/http://www.nation.co.ke/oped/Opinion/-/440808/665770/-/item/1/-/u4itim/-/index.html|url-status=dead}}{{Cite book|last=Rossman|first=Vadim|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LDslDwAAQBAJ&q=move+the+capital+city+central+location+magutt&pg=PA290|title=Capital Cities: Varieties and Patterns of Development and Relocation|date=2018-03-12|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-1-317-56285-6|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=German-Kenya trade ties growing firmer|url=https://nation.africa/kenya/blogs-opinion/opinion/german-kenya-trade-ties-growing-firmer-1119490|access-date=2020-10-06|website=Nation|date=4 July 2020 |language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Lesson from Nigeria: Why Coast leaders must never cosy up to terror groupings|url=https://nation.africa/kenya/blogs-opinion/opinion/lesson-from-nigeria-why-coast-leaders-must-never-cosy-up-to-terror-groupings--1011722|access-date=2020-10-06|website=Nation|date=4 July 2020 |language=en}}{{Cite web|title=With friends like these, who needs foes?|url=https://nation.africa/kenya/blogs-opinion/opinion/with-friends-like-these-who-needs-foes--987760|access-date=2020-10-06|website=Nation|date=4 July 2020 |language=en}} and The Standard,{{Cite web|url=http://kenyapolitical.blogspot.com/2008/04/kipngetich-magutt-rift-valley-questions.html|title=Rift Valley questions key to truth team's work}} among other. He is also a frequent panelist on several national and international TV and Radio outlets on critical debates, among these are the Voice of America,{{Cite news|title=Kenya Bans Live Media Broadcasts|language=en|work=VOA|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2007-12-31-voa3/351523.html|access-date=2017-11-16}}[http://www.voanews.com/english/figleaf/mp3filegenerate.cfm?filepath=http://www.voanews.com/mediaassets/english/2008_01/Audio/mp3/Clottey%20Interview%20With%20Joseph%20Magoott%20(01-31-08).mp3 audio interview with VOA’s reporter Peter Clottey – Joseph Magoott a Nairobi political analyst]{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{Cite web|date=31 December 2007|title=Kenya Bans Live Media Broadcasts – Interview by Peter Clottey|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2008-01-31-voa9-66730077/561228.html|publisher=VOA News}}{{Cite web|date=31 January 2008|title=Kenyans Demand End to Violence – interview with VOA's reporter Peter Clottey|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2008-01-31-voa9-66730077/561228.html|publisher=VOA News}}{{Cite web|date=18 October 2007|title=Kenya Electoral Commission Meets to Address Alleged Vote Buying – interview with VOA's reporter Peter Clottey|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2007-10-18-voa3/351270.html|publisher=VOA News}}{{Cite web|date=14 October 2007|title=Defections Are a Huge Blow for Kibaki – interview with VOA's reporter Peter Clottey|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2007-10-14-voa34/331174.html|publisher=VOA News}} Kenya Television Network (KTN), Citizen TV, Nation Television (NTV),{{Cite web|title=Move the Capital City to a More Central Location|url=http://habarizanyumbani.jambonewspot.com/2009/11/11/|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091223170232/http://habarizanyumbani.jambonewspot.com/2009/11/11/|archive-date=2009-12-23|access-date=2010-05-19}} Classic 105 fm,{{Cite web|title=Classic 105 {{!}} Good Times And Great Hits|url=https://classic105.com/|access-date=2020-10-06|website=Classic 105|language=en-US}} Kiss 100 FM,{{Cite web|title=Kiss100|url=https://kiss100.co.ke/|access-date=2020-10-06|website=Kiss 100|language=en-KE}} [http://www.kassfm.co.ke Kass FM] etc.{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}}

In 2012 through 2013, Magutt was a resident panelist for NTVs prime political show “This is the Point” on AM Live, that was hosted by the political talk show journalist Debarl Inea.{{Cite web|title=Debarl Inea {{!}} Kenyans.co.ke|url=https://www.kenyans.co.ke/debarl-inea|access-date=2020-10-06|website=kenyans.co.ke}}

Magutt is a lover of horses and when out of official engagements he and family often retreat to their Teffica Ranch in Trans-Nzoia County, where he breeds horses, Llamas and exotic birds{{Cite web|title=12 Most Amazing Exotic Birds - exotic birds, weird birds|url=https://www.oddee.com/item_98487.aspx|access-date=2020-10-07|website=Oddee|date=13 February 2013 |language=en-US}} driven by his passion for nature and animals in addition to organic farming. He is the National Chairman of the Llama and Alpaca Owners Association of Kenya.

Although his family has expressed reservation over his fervent attachment to adrenaline-charging superbikes, Magutt has remained true to his long-time passion and is often spotted riding the aggressive [https://www.google.com/search?q=yamaha+vmax+1700+images&client=firefox-b-d&sxsrf=ALeKk03QhmwQrGvRDgsdd8_UW8H1qPf54g:1603978590910&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=76pDsy7ELRquxM%252CEvt-prRA_gsnFM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kQyltA3jPO5tV_qbt4-cBXmCMMWmA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjAu43x9dnsAhVQZcAKHfFADcwQ9QF6BAgCECI#imgrc=76pDsy7ELRquxM Vmax 1700] and [https://www.google.com/search?q=harley+davidson+v+rod&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiMiN_89dnsAhUK-xoKHZhOCUQQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=harley+davidson+&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQARgBMgQIABBDMgQIABBDMgQIABBDMgQIABBDMgQIABBDMgQIABBDMgQIABBDMgQIABBDMgIIADICCAA6BAgjECc6BwgjEOoCECc6BQgAELEDOgcIABCxAxBDUIi9BVj70gZghoYHaAFwAHgCgAGNCIgB-WKSAQ0yLTE5LjE1LjMuNy0xmAEAoAEBqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWewAQrAAQE&sclient=img&ei=d8WaX8zwEor2a5idpaAE&client=firefox-b-d Harley Davidson V-Rod] cruisers.

He consistently engages the local community in tree planting and conservation of the environment as well as rallying them to actively engage in meaningful socio-economic empowering causes and decision-making processes.

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Category:Kenyan political scientists

Category:Living people

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)

Category:Alliant International University faculty

Category:Academic staff of Moi University

Category:Academic staff of Kenyatta University