
Mzee Dominic Wetangula, the 97-year-old father of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, brought some light-hearted moments to the funeral of his late wife, Mama Anne Nanyama, by sharing humorous insights about his family.
During the funeral service in Kabuchai, Bungoma County, on January 3, Mzee Wetangula lightened the atmosphere when he revealed that he had fathered 30 children. He explained that he had two wives, each of whom bore him 15 children, which was quite common in traditional African communities practicing polygamy.
“God blessed me with 30 children; 15 from my first wife and 15 from my second wife. Though some have passed on, there are still a few left,” Mzee Wetangula shared with the mourners.
He further spoke with pride about his late wife’s strength, noting that she gave birth to twins four times, a feat he believed was rare in Kenya.
However, Mzee Wetangula expressed sadness over the loss of many of his children and both wives, leaving him with a sense of loneliness. Despite his advanced age, he humorously mentioned that many women were still drawn to him, but he made it clear that he was not interested.
“Even though I accept God’s will, He has taken my last wife, and now I am a senior bachelor. There are ladies here who find me attractive, but I want to make it clear that I am not interested,” Mzee Wetangula said, causing laughter among the attendees.

He shared that he first met Mama Anne Nanyama, his late wife, when he was her teacher and married her after she completed school. They wed in a grand church ceremony on August 20, 1950, an event Mzee Wetangula still vividly recalls.
“This celebration feels like a second wedding to me,” he said, correcting the funeral program, which mistakenly listed the date as August 21. “I remember the exact date.”
Mzee Wetangula had a distinguished career as a teacher in Bungoma and was involved in various community leadership roles. The funeral was attended by numerous dignitaries, including President William Ruto, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, and other notable figures.
Mama Anne Nanyama was the mother of Speaker Wetangula and Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi.