Former minister Munyao mourned as leader who served the country with humility
National
By
Edwin Nyarangi
| Nov 24, 2025
The late Joseph Munyao, who served as Minister for Livestock and Mbooni MP, has been described as a leader who served the country with humility and dedication for more than 40 years.
Munyao, who passed away at the age of 85 on Saturday afternoon while receiving treatment at a Nairobi hospital, was a trusted ally of former President Mwai Kibaki, with whom he founded the Democratic Party of Kenya.
President William Ruto eulogised Munyao as a man who served the country with steady dedication, noting that he worked closely with farmers to strengthen their livelihoods.
“The late Joseph Munyao’s public service reflected a quiet resolve and a clear sense of duty that shaped many lives. May his loved ones find comfort in knowing his legacy endures in the communities he uplifted and the country he served with honour and dedication,” said Ruto.
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Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka described Munyao as a leader who was quiet yet possessed a powerful presence — humble, disciplined, and always placing the service of others above himself. He was more than a steady hand; he carried himself with humility, grace, and deep respect for all, and his presence anchored every room he entered.
“Our elder brother was the embodiment of a devoted public servant, working tirelessly for ordinary Kenyans with a sincerity that is increasingly rare today. His guiding principle was simple yet profound: service for the people,” said Kalonzo.
Former Attorney General Justin Muturi, who succeeded Munyao as leader of the Democratic Party (DP), said Munyao was not only a respected leader but also one of the distinguished founding members of the party in 1991.
“His commitment, clarity of purpose, and unwavering belief in a democratic and prosperous Kenya helped shape the political landscape of our nation. As patron of the DP and a dedicated Minister for Livestock during the Kibaki administration, he served the country with diligence, vision, and an admirable sense of duty,” said Muturi.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said Munyao’s passing has left a huge gap in Mbooni Constituency, where he served as a legislator, adding that as a Cabinet minister, Munyao served with dedication and patriotism, touching many lives and transforming the nation in many ways.
Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, the Jubilee party deputy leader, paid tribute to Munyao, describing him as an exemplary public servant who embodied servant leadership and a commitment to putting the needs of his constituents first.
Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior described Munyao as a leader who wholeheartedly served the people of Kenya, Makueni County and Mbooni constituency.
Munyao was born in 1940 and joined politics at the age of 23 in 1963 when he contested what was then the Mombasa Mainland Parliamentary seat, currently comprising Changamwe and Kisauni constituencies, but lost.
Munyao first became Member of Parliament for Mbooni Constituency in a 1975 by-election after a successful petition challenging the election of Joseph Kalulu, who later reclaimed the seat from him in 1983.
Between 1998 and 2002, he served as a nominated MP, and during the 2002 General Election, he won the Mbooni parliamentary seat.
He served for many years as the national chairman of the Democratic Party until February 2022, when he stepped down. He is remembered for his role in reviving the Kenya Meat Commission in 2006, after it had been closed for 15 years.