The occasional smile, the neatly ironed World Scout Bureau uniform, will equally reveal another facet of his personality. Single and a Kenyan national, born in Vihiga District in 1976, he also describes himself as liberal minded, sober and a team player. He has been at the Africa Regional Office of the World Scout Bureau for the last five years, he is the man responsible for staff transport and office deliveries. Part of his résumé reveals that he is trained as Network/User Support Specialist (Institute of Advanced Technology). He is also a holder of an International Computer Driving License. He is a Scout Leader.
His hobbies include outdoor activities, theatre, tours and music among others. He has a thing for steamed fish, barbecued meat and Manangu especially when it is served with Ugali (Pap)! In the music department, he is an aficionado of Afro-Jazz and the Tanzanian Bongo Flavour. Joseph does not believe in horoscopes. His favourite book is 'Things fall apart' By Chinua Achebe while his favourite Hollywood production is Commando starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. ARO's Communication Unit had a one-on-one with him.
CU: What touched you most in your life?
JK: The end of the two decade rebel war in Southern Sudan and the eventual death Dr John Garang.
CU: Your dream holiday place?
JK: Egypt
CU: What inspires you to wake up every morning?
JK: The desire to achieve set goals, that is, good education for my children, acquisition of new skills, sponsorship for some orphans. These are some of the issues that drive me and inspire me to wake up very early in th morning and report to work, without which, I cannot achieve my goals.
CU: What is your biggest achievement that you are proud of?
JK: My top achievement as a Scout and a peace maker was to re-unite my divorced parents. I grew up without the love of both parents and I went through all the hardships and that is why, I’m always touched by the plight of the orphans, the abandoned and street children.
CU: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
JK: I want to become a top Scout Camp Manager in the BSA [Boy Scouts of America]
CU: What inspired you to join Scouting?
JK: The values, Principles, Law and Promise.
CU: In what ways do you think you can contribute to the development of Scouting in Africa?
JK: [Through] resource mobilization, volunteer activities, youth empowerment, seminars, workcamps and workshops.
CU: How has Scouting changed your life?
JK: It has enabled me to acquire leadership skills, to make so many friends around the world.
CU: Who is your role model?
JK: Nelson Mandela Madiba
CU: Why?
JK: He fought against injustice for the liberation of the oppressed South Africans. When he finally assumed power, he reconciled all the people of South Africa regardless of their colour, creed, tribe or origin.
CU:If you had the power, what would you change in the world?
JK: The imbalanced system of trade that favours the minority and oppresses the majority. I would strive towards making peace.
CU: Your wish and vision for the children and women of Africa?
JK: To see governments contributing to a better world that is sensitive to the needy, orphan and vulnerable children. Women should be empowered through micro finance and entrepreneurship initiatives to make them self reliant and enable them to live a dignified and fulfilling life.
CU: What do you hate about life?
JK: To be honest, I hate it when someone prevents me from doing the right thing at the right time and place.
CU: Your happiest moment?
JK: The time when there was a smooth transition of power in Kenya in 2002.
CU: What is Africa's ultimate challenge?
JK: The imbalance in trade deals with the west.
CU: What is unique and beautiful about Africa?
JK: The generosity of her people, the beautiful landscapes, vast natural resources, the wildlife, diverse cultures, etc.
CU: Any message to Africa's youth?
JK: Abstain, be faithful, use a condom.
Before I could ask him one more question, his cell rings, there is an emergency: there is an urgent parcel to be picked from town, thirteen mails to be posted, two cheques to be cashed, one litre of milk to be purchased from Mama Jane's Grocery. And so the office van zooms away as Joseph drives into the future. Sky is not the limit.