In a moving tribute to his late wife, Anna Nanyama Wetang’ula, Mzee Dominic Wetang’ula, father to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, shared heartfelt memories of their life together. At 97, Mzee Dominic spoke with a blend of sorrow and humor, reflecting on their decades-long union and the legacy they built together.
“Mungu ameninyang’anya my darlings wote akaenda nao,” he lamented, referring to his two wives, both now deceased. He fondly recalled their lives, noting he had 30 children between the two wives, though many have since passed on. “Mungu amechukua watoto wengine, karibu nusu. Wamebaki wachache tu,” he said.
Despite his grief, Mzee Dominic found moments of lightness, proudly describing himself as a teacher to his wife and reminiscing about her giving birth to quadruplets four times. “Kwa hivyo mimi ni ndume,” he added with a smile, drawing laughter from those in attendance.
He dismissed the idea of remarrying, saying, “Uzuri wa wanawake nimeona. Sasa natafuta bibi wa nini?” Instead, he looks to his children for support in his twilight years. With a goal of surpassing his grandfather’s 106 years, Mzee Dominic expressed hope and resilience, saying, “Naomba Mungu nivunje record ya kukaa hivyo.”
The Wetang’ula family, friends, and community celebrated Anna Nanyama’s life as a matriarch who left a lasting impact through her children and grandchildren, even as they mourn her passing.
By Nairobi