Joseph Wamukoya

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Joseph Pius O Wamukoya (born 22 August 1942) is a Kenyan politician, and was, until December 2002 an Assistant Minister in the KANU government of Moi.

[edit] Pre - Political History

Wamukoya was born in the Western Province of Kenya. His early education was in Kenya, studying at the local Matua Primary School and later St. Peters Secondary School both of which are in Butere/Mumias District. He then joined the then East Africa Agricultural College currently known as Egerton University where he obtained a diploma in animal health. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in veterinary science at the same institution in 1969. Wamukoya was then employed by the Government as District Veterinary Officer for Machakos, Isiolo and Nanyuki. In 1973, he was promoted to become the Central Provincial Veterinary Officer for six months. Wamukoya then went for further studies at Michigan University in the US to specialise in veterinary medicine. He came back in 1975 and joined the University of Nairobi as a lecturer in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine for five years. Wamukoya was later appointed the Director of Veterinary Services until 1990 when he rejoined University of Nairobi as a senior lecturer.

[edit] Political Career

He resigned from the University of Nairobi in 1996 after much pressure from the people of Mumias for him to run in the 1997 general elections. Mumias was later to be divided to create the Matungu constituency. He stood as a candidate for election to represent the latter on a KANU ticket. He polled 10,678 against his closest rival, Charles V.O Okwalo's 7, 568 votes. He was sworn in as MP for Matungu the following year in January.

Once in Parliament, he was first appointed as an Assistant Minister for Agriculture before he was transferred to Ministry of Education and later to the Ministry of Information and Tourism. During his five years in parliament, Wamukoya is credited with playing a major role in drafting the sugar bill and championing the rights of sugarcane farmers. Wamukoya is also credited with working hard to have the important Mumias-Busia road tarmacked. This road is a major commercial highway in the western Kenya region. Believing that education should be available for all, he is also credited with launching an education bursary fund for the education of needy and bright children. He also oversaw the largest expansion in schools, both primary and secondary, in his constituency since independence. He also initiated several projects that have largely benefited the lives of Matungu residents. These include support of self-help groups, development of youth empowerment programs and enhancement of provision of medical facilities.

All this success was however not enough to save him from the NARC euphoria that swept the country in 2002. In 2002 he lost his seat to David Were who contested on a NARC ticket. Wamukoya is still active in the politics of western Kenya and still a force to be reckoned with in Matungu. He defected to LDP in 2004 and has risen to the level of branch chairman for the Matungu branch. He is widely expected to contest the Matungu seat on an LDP ticket come 2007, although he insists that his choice of party is subject to change as the political scene continues to unfold.

[edit] Personal Life

Dr. Joseph Pius Wamukoya has been married to Mrs. Elizabeth Atieno Wamukoya since 1977. Together they have four children: Marilyn Wamukoya, Christine Wamukoya, Francesca Didi Wamukoya and Joseph Nicholas Wamukoya.