Mzee Dominic Wetangula, the father to the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, injected a bit of humour into the funeral proceedings of his late wife Mama Anne Nanyama when he shared key details about his family.
Speaking during the funeral service held in Kabuchai, Bungoma County, on Friday, January 3, Mzee Wetangula, aged 97, broke the solemnity with laughter when he disclosed that he had a total of 30 children.
According to the patriarch, he married two wives and was blessed to have 15 children with each wife, at a time when polygamy was seriously considered in most African setups.
”God gave me 30 children, with my first wife having 15 and the second having 15. Even though God has taken some and now the remaining ones are few,” Mzee Wetangula narrated.
Speaker Moses Wetangula and family members during the burial service of his mother Mama Anne Nanyama.
Moses Wetangula
”My wife had the same strength as me,” he told mourners. Adding, “She gave birth to twins for a record four times. I don’t think if in Kenya there is such an occurrence.”
However, in a heartbreaking turn of events, he revealed that he has since been left lonely following the passing away of a majority of the children and his two wives.
But according to Mzee Wetangula, despite his old age, ladies still find him attractive, and many are seeking him out.
”Even though I accept God’s decision, in the end, he has taken my last wife, and now I remain a senior bachelor. In this old age, there are ladies here salivating for me, but I want to state that I am not interested in them at all.” Mzee Wetangula narrated to the laughter of the audience, which included key dignitaries.
Mzee Wetangula married the late Mama Anne Nanyama, who passed away in December, having met her when he was her teacher, and immediately organised a marriage when she completed school.
”I was circumcised in 1947, and I married after turning 20 years old. I was a teacher to this, my late wife, as I married her after she completed her secondary school education,” he narrated.
Mzee Wetangula married the late Nanyama in a lavish church wedding on August 20, 1950, and the memories of the day are still fresh in his mind.
”Today’s celebration is like a second wedding to me with my late wife. I vividly remember the events of August 20, 1950, when we first married. I see they have indicated on the funeral program that it was on the 21st, that is not true. I still remember the dates,” he added.
Mzee Wetangula served as a teacher in Bungoma and has held various leadership positions including serving as a community elder.
The ceremony was attended by key dignitaries, including President William Ruto, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, the Parliamentary leadership, Cabinet Secretaries, and members of the Law Society of Kenya, among others.
Anne Nanyama was a mother to Speaker Wetangula and Westlands Member of Parliament Tim Wanyonyi.
Mzee Dominic Wetangula(in a hat) shares a moment with President William Ruto at the burial of his late wife Mama Anne Nanyama in the company of Speaker Moses Wetangula.
Moses Wetangula