Jonathan Mueke: Ready to face violent foe in Westlands
Kumekucha will fully support our new generation of leaders seeking political office. The man we feature today is an excellent example of the new generation of leaders that Kenya needs badly.
I appeal to all friends of Kumekucha to put their full weight and support behind these guys and if you know of any other candidates out there who deserve some publicity here please drop me an email at umissedthis at yahoo dot com.
Kumekucha: What is your vision for Westlands?
In a nutshell my vision for Westlands is to see it become the business process outsourcing hub of East Africa . I also envision the constituency as a leader in service delivery and education. Attaining this vision will see the building of infrastructure, creation of jobs, reduction of poverty and increase in security.
To read my entire vision, please visit www.jonathanmueke.com
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Also published today;
Kalonzo "Obama" Musyoka?
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Kumekucha: Why did you choose to stand in Westlands?
I was born, raised and schooled in Westlands. Having lived in the constituency all my life, Westlands is pretty much the community I belong to.
Kumekucha: The incumbent is known to be very violent; do you have a plan to deal with this?
Yes, I do have a comprehensive plan to deal with the incumbents violence
Kumekucha: Younger candidates have often been accused of not being in touch with the needs of the people. Please comment.
I disagree with the accusation. Young people constitute over 70% of Kenya ’s population. How can we not be in touch with our own needs?
Kumekucha: Who is your preferred Presidential candidate? Please give reasons
Being a member and supporter of the Orange Democratic Movement – Kenya (ODM-K), I believe that the 8 presidential candidates are fit lead this country. My belief is strengthened by the fact that the eventual flag bearer will incorporate the visions of all other ODM-K presidential aspirants into his/her vision. This vision will therefore be an ODM-K vision.
I prefer an ODM-K presidential candidate as I subscribe to the vision of infrastructure building, free secondary school education, poverty reduction, action on corruption, free healthcare, national security, economic prosperity, anti-tribalism and good governance. All ODM-K presidential candidates subscribe to the same.
Kumekucha: Tell us a little about your background (including professional experience).
I was born 30 years ago in Nairobi and attended Kilimani Primary School and then Nairobi School for my secondary school education. I left for the USA where I obtained a BSc. in Computer Science and an MBA in Entrepreneurship & Global Information Technology.
I have 10 years professional experience in the IT sector with 6 of the 10 years in managerial positions. My professional experience has all been in fortune 500 companies within the retail, automotive and financial sectors. I currently sit on the board of 2 companies, 1 in Kenya and the other in the US .
My business interests are in real estate and information technology.
Kumekucha: Westlands is a constituency where there is a lot of racism targeted at ordinary Kenyans. How do you plan to deal with this?
The racism targeted at ordinary Kenyans primarily has to do with poor labour laws. Once in parliament, I will work closely with the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) and the Ministry of Labour to ensure that legislation which protects the Kenyan worker is passed and enforced. Those found in breach will be dealt with accordingly.
When it comes to preferential treatment in areas other than labour, the ordinary Kenyan will need to be educated on his/her rights. Workshops around the constituency can achieve this.
Kumekucha: How are you funding your campaign?
My campaign is funded by friends, family and well wishers.
Kumekucha: What word of encouragement would you give to other young candidates?
If they are in it for the right reasons, then the other young candidates already are different than our traditional leaders and therefore have an upper hand. The electorate has changed and there sure is hope. Keep at it!
Kumekucha: What have you done for Westlands constituents so far?
Youth and Women empowerment seminars, launched several youth groups, assisted in over 10 fundraisers as the chief guest (schools, churches, welfare groups, funerals), free health clinic in Kangemi (over 4,000 people), sponsored soccer tournament for Runda Youth Sports Association - Githogoro, sponsored community clean up and tree planting in readiness for the World environment day, placed several constituents into factory jobs.
Kumkucha: Any other comments/message you have.
The electorate has changed in Kenya and opportunity is now ripe for young leaders to get into public service. We need to position ourselves as the youth for change and speak in one voice as we demand for our rightful positions in the country’s leadership.
It is our responsibility to take Kenya to the next level by transforming her into an African Tiger. Let’s turn this cause into a movement! For that to happen we need all the support we can get.
Please visit www.jonathanmueke.com to see how you can get involved.
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I cannot believe you asked the “vision” question and expected anything less tantalizing. This was a lost opportunity to grill this jamaa to emphatically state how he will vote in parliament, how he’ll manage CDF, and ensure the streets stay lit. How’s his credit history? Does he have any bills that needs to be settled? Can he promise to resign if caught dipping his hand in the cookie jar? What are he’s future goals? Is he just using Westlandians as a stepping stone?.......OK, I have to run. Memorial day weekend traffic.
ReplyDeleteI thought you said you are supporting ideas, and issues, not individuals and tribes. What came of this promise?
ReplyDeleteChris honestly that was a huge goof to provide a forum to such a nonstarter. You can do better by sticking to issues instead of having green horns who cannot spell their names backwards such and opportunity to regurgitate the theories they just learnt in class. We demand better lest ...
ReplyDeleteIt is sad to note that from your recent posts on the subject of Fred Gumo, you have chosen to portray the man as a violent politician not fit to hold any leadership position.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I consider Fred Gumo as one of the most forthright MPs in the august house. Not only is the fellow decisive, he is also politically firm, rigid and no-nonsense.
When Nairobi was virtually an opposition zone in 1992/1997/2002 general elections, Fred Gumo was elected as MP for Westlands on three separate occassions, one of which was with the KANU ticket. You might say his supporters used violence, rigging and other unorthodox means but lets face it - it means a lot to be elected as an MP in Nairobi if you are non-Kikuyu and worse if it is a KANU ticket. Yet Gumo has accomplished that feat three times over. What do Westlands voters see in him? Let the ECK and police deal with issues of breaking the law and election malpractice.
Jonathan Mueke has every right to vie for the Westlands seat, but you shouldnt campaign for him by first painting Gumo in bad light. Let him sell his vision to the voters there, and if voters like it, they will vote for him.
Hi Chris:
ReplyDeleteI think you are being fair by giving a young generation of Kenyans a forum that the mainstream media won't dare to do.
Jonathan might be a starter, but so is Obama who is rocking the democratic boat at the moment in America. Wisdom and leadership has nothing to do with age, and, if anyone has the guts to stand for what they believe and go for it, we should at least give them the kudos for being among those who refuse to be intimidated. I am impressed that you are open to doing this. Frankly, we are going weary of the oldies.
As Taabu says, this blog should not be allowed to be the campaign forum for any do gooder who think they have the solutions for Kenya.
ReplyDeleteThe strangest thing this green horn says is that he wants to turn westlands into a BPO hub. Okay as I live in the vicinity of westlands, I went out looking at a city map to locate the hub....but wapi?!!
Poor fellow has no idea of the problems of Westlands and going to harambees to fund funerals etc or a one-off free health clinic is not what westlands people want. Kangemi is in dire need of infrastructural change, but our budding aspirant does not even seem to know this as a priority!
For a 30 year old who has probably spent all his life in the states it surely is impressive that he can imagine he has an idea of the problems of the people of westlands. That is the problem of some of our Kenyans in the diaspora who think they have solutions for every Kenyan woe!
Thanks Jonathan for taking time to respond to Kumekucha bloggers. I live and work in Westlands myself though I am voter in Langata where I used to reside up until 2004. I wish you luck in your quest to be MP for westlands but I can assure you Fred Gumo will not be an easy opponent.
ReplyDeleteI do not agree with your assertion on Raphael Tuju and that his constituency is the most developed in Nyanza. Have you ever visited Rarieda? I have been there on many occassions and I can assure you that Rarieda is not even among the top 20 most developed in Nyanza. For instance; Gem, Ugenya, Alego, Kisumu Rural got piped water and power during Kenyatta's reign, while parts of Rarieda are just getting water now! Tuju has his own style, which I hope will make him be re-elected in 2007, but dont be misled by newspaper propaganda that Tuju is the most productive MP in Nyanza.
I would appreciate if you could respond to each of these:
Q: What is your take on the Westlands Hawkers Market next to the NCC Market on Woodvale Groove. I heard it belongs to a private citizen who holds title to it and has a court order to evict the hawkers, but then politicians have always been against the eviction saying that these hawkers were original allocated the land in question by President Kenyatta in the 1960s? Is this true?
Perhaps you can approach the NCC to re-construct their current market into a multi-storey building so these hawkers can be allocated highrise stalls. I have seen highrise hawkers markets in other parts of the world and I think you have an opportunity to pioneer this in Kenya - if only for lack of space in Westlands.
Q: Westlands CBD and environs does not have a children's playground nor social hall. Dont you think the Catholic Church can be approached to donate some space, they seem to own a large chunk of westlands open spaces. Any comments?
Q: Westlands main bus stop to town is now a 24hr hub. There are taxi drivers, hot snacks, miraa sellers, etc etc. How can security be improved here so as to allow business people, eg. pharmacies open their shops 24/7?
Q.Whats your stand on gays? I ask this because you must certainly be aware that Westlands host no less than three gay bar/restaurants - just a few hundred yars from St. Marks Church and Consolata Church - which are some of the most prominent churches in Nairobi. What happens around these premises at night leaves a lot to be desired.Please comment.
Q: You have not identified yourself with any of the ODM presidential candidates, why not? And what if I expressed an interest in running for councillor in your stable?
Thanks again Jonathan.
Simple. NON-STARTER. Dont look at Fred Gummo, look at Betty Tett and and Bablu coming in to cash for the Asian vote. Anyway, as Kamotho once said 'cooks and watchmen'. They domoinate Westlands and work for the Wahindi and Gummo is felsh and blood. Ukweli.
ReplyDeleteDream ON!
A question for Jonathan.
ReplyDeleteAmong the activities you've done you said
"free health clinic in Kangemi (over 4,000 people)"
I live near Kangemi. Can you please clarify when and where this free health clinic took place? I don't recall hearing about it either locally or in the news.
I've also checked out your web site and am surprised that such a major community event has not been featured. Please comment.
Interesting blog. As a fellow Kenyan I'd like to challenge Anonymous to tell us what he has done to make Kenya a better place instead of complaining that Westlands is run by Asians and branding fellow kenyans, cooks and watchmen?
ReplyDeleteMueke sure does have a tough challenge on his hands. I for one wish him luck and tell him to stand strong because Rome wasn't built in a day. Great to see his response though and its even greater to see genuine concerns being raised by westlands residents (of whom I am one) without resorting to name calling and idiocies so common from kenyans in similar forums.
There are some genuine questions have been raised here, regarding like the Westlands market that has been a historic fixture in Westlands and the bus park by Phil who does have some great and not outlandish ideas that really could change the face and lives of normal wananchi if implemented.
My question would be what about traffic? Especially the main roundabout next to Uchumi and what was the old Bus stop before it was moved. Its virtually impossible not to spend less than an hour there at rush hour. Access to Westlands and its environs is severely clogged up by this spot.Another suggestion would be to create mentorship programs that young professionals could get into like on weekends to help bring the youth upto scratch with regard to business plans and just general career guidance. Maybe then Westlands will not be known for just cooks and watchmen...
Mr Mueke over to you.
"As for the cookie jar, I would like to note that I am financially stable. That is why I "retired" from formal employment at 29 to dedicate my life to public service and add value to the less fortunate."
ReplyDeleteThis statement surely must take the cake!
For a whooping Ksh 800,000/= a month salary, I wouldn't dare call it "retirement". Are there no other ways to serve the public selflessly without going to Parliament?
Over to you Mr Mueke.
Kumekucha bloggers. Let me begin by apologizing for keeping your questions waiting. The past few weeks have been extremely busy with ODM national matters, sponsoring of a Soccer Tournament for the youth of Githogoro and preparing for my official launch which will be held tomorrow, at Office Park, Riverside Dr. from 6pm.
ReplyDeleteI shall log back in shortly and respond to your queries. Please be patient. Thank you to those who think positively. I am motivated as ever to continue to build Westlands.
P.S. I shall be Caroline Mutoko's guest tomorrow at 7:15 am on the popular Kiss 100 breakfast show. Tune in if you can.
Chris,
ReplyDeleteIt appears your guy was never serious. Maybe he thinks we are not residents of westlands. Its going on to a month and I check this post every other day. It makes me wonder how accessible and forthcmoing he will be if he is elected MP?
Jonathan Mueke`s noble and courageous pursuit is blemished by his naive and simplistic view that infrastructure in Kangemi is not a priority.Brother it is everything. whoever is advising you is losing it for you bigtime.Man, dishing out handouts to escort our loved ones is what will make you agitate for more salary once elected,provide this people with tools to help them help themselves.Dont let the stereotype of the youth be confirmed i.e youthful hot-headed,idealistic and foolish naivette.
ReplyDeleteThis is one elitist guy. If you didn't go to Patch damu... ur not with it. Please, for all the years this guy lived in MI, he struggled talking swa. This guy could bearly relate to middle class kenyans in stato and most of the time he was forcing it. Jona is an ambitious, intelligent guy - I'll give him that. But that's where it stops! You don't even knbow the half. Ati, financially independent... Jona just wants the fame first, then the money and then he might think of Kangemi folks. I'm struggling between doing a full expose on this guy... but it really doesn't matter. Kangemi voters don't read this blog and they'll vote to whoever they relate to. God bless Kenya!
ReplyDeleteElections are now over and I managed to come 3rd (out of 24) after Fred Gumo & Betty Tett. It was quite a tough campaign I must say, but one ran efficiently and above all focused on the issues with the people of Westlands' best interests at heart.
ReplyDeleteOver the next 5 years, I will continue with my community service initiative - maintaining several sustainable development projects I initiated and starting new projects where I can. Pretty much continuing with the cause I so believe in; making a difference for the better!
Thanks to all who supported my candidacy in whatever form and believed in my leadership. We made a big impact in Westlands by running a clean campaign never seen before in the constituency.
The fire is now lit - lets keep it burning!
Jonathan Mueke
Jonathan,
ReplyDeleteThat was an impressive campaign you run. Congratulations.
To be honest, you were inthe wrong party. Kalonzo has already forgotten what you guys did for him and as it is, he was not inthe presidential race to win.
I am officially inviting you to join ODM. Madam Ngilu needs young intelligent and ambitious Kenyans like you. Meanwhile, before additional constituencies are created inNairobi, you will be better off if you consider shifting constituencies to Ukambani. Think about it.