Kip: Who is Bobby?
Bobby: My names are Bobby Archie Mwakichako; married to Eva Mwakichako and together we have three beautiful children, Shaun, Tyler and Zillah Mwakichako. I was born in Nairobi and studied at St. Patricks Primary School in Eastlands and at Aquinas High School. After my A’Levels (at Kianyaga High School) I was admitted to Egerton University where I majored in Economics with a minor in Sociology. My first job was with the Kenya Breweries as a processing clerk in the IT department. After two years I moved to sales and marketing where I worked for 7 years in various parts of Kenya. A burning desire for self-development then led to my resignation in order to further my studies in Australia.
Kip: When did you first come to Australia? What were your first impressions as a Kenyan in Perth?
Bobby: I first came to Australia in February 2002 to pursue a Masters degree in Business Administration at Edith Cowan University in Western Australia. I arrived at the peak of summer. The first few days were a struggle with temperatures in the high 30 degrees for a few days in a row. I persevered and here I am on another hot summer day! I went through a few culture shocks including the efficiency of the public transport system in terms of time keeping, the level of courtesy by the general public and high standards in customer service. I had to juggle school, work and providing for my family (my wife and our two boys at the time). Meeting Kenyans in Perth was quite helpful in terms of showing me the ropes.
Kip: How would you describe your experience of working in Australia?
Bobby: I worked for various employment agencies as a student. After my studies I got a job as a tutor for a year. Since then I have worked for various organizations like Cerebral Palsy, Westpac Bank, Wesfarmers and BHP Billiton Iron Ore. Working in Australia has been great in terms of the work ethic and level of integrity expected.
Kip: You are the immediate former president of the Kenyan Community in Western Australia (KCWA). What is the role of KCWA?
Bobby: KCWA is a non-political, non-racial and not for profit organization. It aims to promote the interests of members and their associates. KCWA assist Kenyans in crisis situations whenever possible. It also provides a soft landing for students from Kenya and those migrating to Western Australia. I encourage Kenyans to join because it is their Community. Leadership comes and goes but the community remains.
Kip: What were some of your key achievements as KCWA president?
Bobby: It was a very humbling experience and honour to serve the people. As a team, we helped facilitate the delivery of a 40 foot container which had 160 wheelchairs for kids and 50 white canes for the blind. I have to give a special mention to Dr .Siyat who was very instrumental in acquiring these items despite being visually challenged and also Hon. Ambassador Isaiah Kabira the Kenyan High Commissioner to Australia. We also worked hard to help Kenyans searching for jobs and liaised with government agencies to organise workshops for Kenyans. I have to mention that I could not have achieved all this without the unwavering support of my executive who I fondly refer to as the A-Team.
Kip: What is your legacy at KCWA in your opinion?
Bobby: I tried to galvanise the community once again as there were sentiments that it was a bit fragmented when I took over. We worked hard to make the community vibrant and visible by organising events and representing Kenya in African community forums here in WA.
Kip: As a family man, how has it been, bringing up your family in Australia?
Bobby: I have always seen it as a God given opportunity to bring up my family in Australia. It has enabled me to be hands on. My job in Kenya kept me away from my family most of the time. I have been involved in almost every aspect of their lives. I happily read to them before they went to bed especially when they were younger, supervising their homework, picking them from school, taking them to the parks, beach, etc. Spending quality time with my family is something I really cherish and would not exchange for anything. 
Kip: What advice would you give to other Kenyans raising families in Australia?
Bobby: Family issues are very personal and I cannot speak on behalf of any family. But personally, I make a point of my family visiting Kenya whenever I can afford it and time allows. I do this especially for my children, as I would like them to be in touch with where we came from and get a chance to see their extended family. I encourage parents to take their children to their local library during school holidays to instill a reading culture. Being mentally engaged keeps them away from mischief. I also see it as an exercise for the mind.
Kip: What would you say to Kenyans thinking of migrating to Australia or coming here to study?
Bobby: I would encourage them to do their homework. Find out as much as possible about their planned area of study, job prospects and cost of living. They should also have enough savings to take care of the initial expenses including rent, provisions, transport, etc. Once settled they should be diligent in looking for opportunities instead of crying victim because the world owes you nothing.
Kip: What question would you have liked me to ask you but I did not ask?
Bobby: What are your values in life? I put God first in everything I do. I believe in being generous. Ted Turner (Founder of CNN) put it so well when he said ” If you are working to help others to make the world better, you will be a lot happier than if all you do is make everything about yourself. Generous people are a happier than self-serving people.”
Kip: Talking of generosity, are you not involved in Church Charity in Kenya?
Bobby: Yes I am very involved with my local Church in Taita County. It is called St Emmanuel Anglican Church which is under the auspices or banner of C.P.K. I have been involved with this Church from the day I started working and I would attribute this to my late grandfather who I really miss. We are halfway building the new church and the current one would eventually be converted to the local community hall. Some of my friends helped me raise some funds early last year towards the constructions of the new church and I will forever be grateful and may their pockets be filled many times over.
Kip: A parting shot?
Bobby: “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you are right”-Henry Ford
Kip: Thank you very much Bobby.
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