Dr. Vincent Kituku of Kenya: Changing the World, One Person at a Time

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Changing the World, One Person at a Time By Dr. Vincent Muli Kituku

"The only reason I am in this world, at this moment with the tools God has given me, is to make a positive difference in other people’s lives." - Dr. Vincent Muli Wa Kituku

Dr. Kituku grew up watching his mother in Kangundo, Kenya, provide food and clothes to people suffering from mental illness and those with delayed mental and physical development. His father also let some of those people stay at his store overnight, especially during rainy seasons. While at Tala High School, Vincent was involved with adult literacy where he taught senior citizens counting, basic ABCs and how to write their names. Those childhood observations and boyhood involvement in other people’s well-being have become Dr. Kituku’s pillars as he helps people from all over the world. His family has provided financial support to children in the Holy Land and Africa through international programs over the years. They provide tuition, food, water,	Vincent Kituku in 1972, Kangundo, Kenya
shelter and medical help for relatives and strangers, especially those who have lost their husband and father. Dr. Kituku organizes schools and church groups to sponsor specific projects with 100% of contributions devoted to the projects. Vincent’s worldwide compassionate efforts have largely benefited Idaho since his family became residents in 1992. Later that year, he and three co-workers at the Idaho Power Company funded and cooked a dinner meal for Boise’s homeless folks with the intention of making a difference for one day. Other employees learned about it and made it a company wide project of providing hot a dinner meal, once a month, to the homeless people. With firsthand experience of domestic violence, especially against women and children, Vincent joined Boise’s Women and Children Alliance Board of Directors and served in the marketing and community awareness committees. He served as a member of the Assistance League of Boise Advisory Board, where he donated full sets of tuxedos, including shoes and ties, for young men from low income families who needed formal dress for youth events. The fight against hunger and disease, youth challenges, and illiteracy are Vincent’s battlefronts. He is currently the vice chairman of the Board of Directors Idaho’s largest homeless shelter, Boise Rescue Mission, for men, women and children. In addition to his family’s financial support for the ministry, Vincent and his children serve meals regularly and he conducts chapel service at the Men’s shelter once a month. Dr. Kituku has developed a program where he provides his services at no cost to local schools but requests that students to bring dry or canned food, for the Mission, so young people can learn to care for those less fortunate in their community.

The Susan Komen’s annual Race for the Cure introduced Dr. Kituku to the brutal reality of how breast cancer has ravaged so many lives, families and neighbors. He is not only a regular participant but also creates awareness with his creative writing published in print and online publications. When his speaking tours allow him, Vincent participates with his family and a team he puts together composed of people who have never participated in the Race.
	Dr. Vincent Muli Kituku with his daughter Lucille Mbinya and Patricia Kempthorne, Idaho’s First Lady at the 2004 Boise Race for the Cure event.
What is well documented is Dr. Kituku’s success story as the motivational speaker of the Boise State Football Team since 1998. Kituku Warriors Optimist Football Team However, he has coached boys soccer teams and sponsored the Kituku Warriors Optimist Football Team until players entered 8th grade football teams. He currently serves as an assistant coordinator of sponsors for the Boise Noon Optimist Football Program. He has served as the YMCA’s member of the Board of Directors and together with his family sponsors programs for children and participates in various fund raising events. Eagle Academy in Eagle, Idaho is Dr. Kituku’s adopted school. From contributing the school’s Mascot, a stuffed jaguar, Vincent has given free presentations and hundreds of books to both teachers and students since the school started in 1998. He doesn’t charge to speak at Idaho’s Alternative Schools assembly events. Working with members of the Treasure Valley community, especially Dr. Stan Steiner’s family, Vincent has provided thousands of books and school supply resources for schools in his native home district in Kenya. Vincent founded the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership scholarship to encourage Idaho high school students to pursue higher education and contribute to their communities. All Ada County high schools nominate students to participate in the Youth Leadership program, from which a recipient of the scholarship is selected based on the student’s demonstrated devotion to school, community service and goals for further education. Dr. Kituku was the featured speaker at Gov. Dirk Kempthorne’s first State Leadership Prayer Breakfast in1999. He was later nominated and served a member of the Governor Coordinating Council for Families and Children where he chaired the Awareness Committee. He currently serves as a member of the Abraham Lincoln Centennial Committee, a role appointed by Gov. Butch Otter. Vincent has donated his training services to programs that support veterans. On the 12th of February, 2008, Dr. Kituku addressed both the Idaho House and Senate about Lincoln’s connection with Idaho and how learning about Lincoln’s life while in Africa inspired him to never give up. He included Lincoln’s failures and successes in the book he wrote for his daughter as her Sweet 16th Birthday gift. Vincent co-founded the National Speakers Association’s Storytellers Professional Education Group (PEG) to enhance professional speakers’ ability to change lives with the power of stories. He is a member of the Certified Speaking Professional’s Council where he initiated the policy on reinstating CSP members who let their credentials lapse.