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Pastor T has made a name for himself in the pulpit as a passionate preacher, but few know the remarkable story of how he is building a multimillion-shilling business in the milling industry.
Before getting into preaching, Pastor T had long worked as an MC at weddings, but a poorly executed event, where the DJ failed, pushed him to reconsider how he operated.
He teamed up with a friend called Pristie in a profit-sharing model. Pastor T would book the gigs and provide dancers and a DJ, while Pristie supplied the sound equipment and generator.
The vision for his milling business was sparked by a piece written by Prof. Bitange Ndemo on “waste assets” like rural land that sits idle due to tradition.
Another professor, now a Vice Chancellor at Dedan Kimathi University, offered this insight.
In Kenya, most people rush to real estate, but it takes 12–14 years to recover your investment. If you study what Indians are doing in manufacturing and industrialisation, you can recover your investment in 2 years.
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Pastor T Mwangi
This advice shifted Pastor T’s mindset. He studied the Indian community’s business culture and realised the value of teamwork, discipline, and investing in basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter.
From his church, he assembled a team, a miller with 10 years’ experience and an investor from Texas. But he still needed capital.
“I asked my father for the title deed to a 14-acre piece of land we owned. It had been abandoned after post-election violence. My dad and siblings agreed,” he told Barack Bukusi of Financially Incorrect Podcast.
The land, valued at Sh14 million, was used as collateral to secure a SACCO loan. Pastor T imported milling machines from China, and the investor provided working capital.
I began the business with 0% in my pocket, just access to land and good relationships.
But access is often preceded by honour. If I hadn’t honoured my father, he wouldn’t have given me the title deed.
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Pastor T Mwangi
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Mentorship and financial wisdom
Pastor T had put together Sh2 million in savings when a business mentor offered to match it, raising the total to Sh4 million. That sum helped unlock further financing from the SACCO.
Through that mentor, he met the founder of a leading flour milling company, who shared advice that now guides his business principles and lessons, which he internalised.
Plough back into the business. Avoid loans. Don’t divert your finances. Stick to one project.
People rob from their businesses to invest elsewhere instead of growing what they already have.
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Pastor T Mwangi studied geology at the University of Nairobi
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Why Pastor invested in milling?
Pastor T's belief in the food industry is rooted in a simple but powerful fact.
“Kenya’s population will hit 70 million by 2030. Who will feed that population?” he posed.
This question solidified his commitment to food production as a long-term investment.
Juggling ministry and business
Despite spending time building the enterprise, Pastor T hasn’t abandoned his calling. He continues to lead his church, supported by over 10 pastors managing various departments.
I’m a producer, I love starting things, but I’m not good at management or marketing. So, I surround myself with people who are.
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Pastor T Mwangi
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Technology allows him to monitor both the business and church remotely. Most notably, Pastor T chooses not to draw a salary from the ministry.
Like Paul, I make tents, and I take care of my needs outside the church. The church needs those resources more than I do.
Now two years into his milling journey, Pastor T is halfway to owning 50% of the company and plans to fully own his share within five years.
For Pastor T, real success is not in possessions, but in people, principles and purpose.