Livestock PS John Mtongoi has refuted claims that Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka was responsible for his political rise. Speaking exclusively to The Star, Mtongoi emphasized that his first significant political opportunity came as Nairobi deputy governor under former governor Evans Kidero, not through Kalonzo.

Mtongoi recounted spending about 14 years working alongside Kalonzo without securing a government post. Despite contesting the Westlands parliamentary seat on a Wiper ticket and Wiper’s subsequent government appointments after the 2017 elections, he was overlooked. He accepted President William Ruto’s 2020 invitation to join his administration, citing belief in the president’s development agenda.

Reasons for Joining President Ruto’s Team

Mtongoi said his decision was driven by a desire to be part of a government focused on tangible development. He highlighted projects such as roads, markets, electricity connections, dams, and livestock initiatives that have transformed lives, particularly in Ukambani.

During a recent tour with President Ruto, Mtongoi noted that Kitui County has seen unprecedented infrastructure growth, including:

  • 150 kilometres of roads under construction
  • Over 18 modern markets being developed
  • More than Sh2 billion invested in last-mile electricity connectivity
  • Completion of major water projects like Thwake Dam and progress on the long-stalled Umaa Dam
  • First modern stadium and upgraded airstrip in Kitui
  • A livestock training institute serving nearly 10 counties

He asserted that these developments have shifted Ukambani from a traditional opposition stronghold to a competitive political battleground.

Livestock Sector Reforms and Achievements

As PS for Livestock, Mtongoi has overseen significant growth in Kenya’s dairy and meat sectors, which are presidential priority value chains. Key achievements include:

  • Increasing annual milk production from 4.6 billion to 5.5 billion litres
  • Growing dairy exports from Sh5 billion to nearly Sh15 billion
  • Implementing a national livestock vaccination programme that has vaccinated about 18 million animals to date
  • Deploying over 230 milk coolers nationwide to reduce spoilage
  • Introducing quality-based milk payments to incentivize farmers producing higher-quality milk
  • Launching Anitrack, a digital livestock identification and tracking system to enhance traceability and combat theft

Mtongoi noted that these reforms have boosted Kenya’s position as Africa’s largest milk producer and significantly increased meat exports, particularly to Gulf markets demanding quality, consistency, and certification.

Future Prospects

Mtongoi’s long-term vision is to grow the livestock sector’s contribution from nearly Sh400 billion last year to Sh1 trillion by 2030. This involves scaling vaccination, breed improvement, digital tracking, livestock insurance, and county-level investment companies to ensure quality and consistent production.

On speculation about contesting the Kitui governorship in 2027, Mtongoi said he has not made a decision and remains focused on his current role serving President Ruto.