The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Related Articles
Former Livestock Minister and longtime Mbooni MP Joseph Munyao has died at the age of 85. He passed away on Saturday afternoon, November 22, 2025, while undergoing treatment at a Nairobi hospital.
Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr sent his condolences to Munyao’s family, friends, and the people of Mbooni, describing him as a devoted public servant whose leadership and dedication to his community will be greatly remembered.
Click here to join our WhatsApp Channel
In his statement, Governor Kilonzo noted that Munyao served the country with humility and commitment during his tenure as Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Development and consistently championed the welfare of his constituents.
“His leadership and developmental contributions will remain in high regard. May his soul rest in peace, and may his family find comfort during this difficult moment,” he said.
Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka also mourned Munyao, describing him as a humble, disciplined, and dependable leader whose calm but influential presence anchored every room he entered. He expressed deep sorrow as he joined the family and the nation in mourning a man he said always put service to others first.
Munyao served as Mbooni MP across three non-consecutive terms and held the Livestock and Fisheries Development docket in President Mwai Kibaki’s administration between 2003 and 2007.
Early Life
Born in Makueni County, Munyao attended Kibauni Primary School, Makueni Intermediate School, and Machakos School from 1958 to 1961.
He began his career as a bank clerk at Standard Bank (now Standard Chartered) before moving into public service as an accountant in the Office of the President.
From 1969 to 1972, he worked as a financial attaché at the Kenyan Embassy in Moscow.
Political Journey
Munyao first ventured into politics in the 1963 general election, though his first successful election came in 1975 after winning a by-election petition in Mbooni.
He lost his seat in 1979 but reclaimed it in 1983 under the then-ruling KANU party, serving until 1988.
In 1991, he partnered with Mwai Kibaki to co-found the Democratic Party.
He returned to Parliament in 2002 under the NARC coalition and was appointed Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Development.
He later lost the Mbooni seat in the 2007 elections.
Legacy
Munyao’s public service journey cut across both the single-party and multi-party periods in Kenya’s political history. He is celebrated for his role in shaping livestock policies and improving rural infrastructure during his time in government.
