In Summary;
- Life history
- Funeral program (pdf)
Mama Ann Nanyama Wetang’ula (Nabakhwana) was born on 9th March 1930 to the Late Kuka Silvano Wanyonyi Maboko (omubuya) and the Late Kukhu Sophia Nabalayo Wanyonyi (omuala) of Kabuchai constituency, in Bungoma County. She was baptized as an infant at the Roman Catholic Church in Mumias, on 13th July, 1930. Thereafter, she remained a steadfast Catholic until her demise.
She was the first born in a family that was quite large. Her siblings include the Late Sifrosa Wanyonyi, the Late Francis Wabuke, Protus Wabuke, the Late Ndinyo Wanyonyi, Domitilla Ndombi, Maurice Wanjala, Gladys Nasambu, Catherine Nabangala Sumba, Efamia Otunga, Magaret Nafula Kiboi, Kituyi Wanyonyi, Nafuna Wanyonyi, Charles Idi, the Late Juma Wanyonyi among others.
Embracing Education;
Her father, Kuka Wanyonyi, was a well-educated man as per the standards of those days. He attended basic education in Kabula in 1920 and did Common Entrance examinations. He was then taken to Mawego College where he trained as a clerk. He was then posted to serve as a court clerk in Kabuchai in 1942 and was later moved to Bungoma court in 1953. As an educated and progressive man, Kuka Wanyonyi ensured that his children attended school. This saw him enrol Mama Ann at Nalondo Roman Catholic (RC) Primary School in 1937. After two years, she was transferred to St. Mary’s Girls School in Mumias. Upon completing her primary education, Ann was posted to teach at Mabanga Primary School within Kabuchai Constituency in Bungoma County, from 1947 to 1954. As a teacher, she displayed dogged determination, keen attention to detail, and a propensity for hard work.
Marriage and Family;
Mama Ann got married to Dominico Wetang’ula on 21st August 1950 in a colorful wedding at the Kibabii Catholic Church. Maayi was not only a welcome addition to the Wetang’ula family, she was the homemaker that Mzee Dominico needed. Her enterprising nature saw her help Mzee acquire more land, in addition to what he had inherited from his grandfather. She stepped up and kept her family intact when Mzee had to be away for work-related travels from time to time. In fact she cut short her teaching career in 1954, to concentrate on looking after her young family.
She had a total of 15 children; four sets of twins and seven single births. They include; the Late Leah, James Mukhwana, Virginia Sikhoya Sifumaw, Regina Khisa, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Moses Masika Wetang’ula, EGH (Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Kenya), Maria Khainja Ong’amo, Dorothy Namarome Watila, Scolastica Naswa Opemo, the Hon. Timothy Wanyonyi, CBS (MP, Westlands Constituency), the Late John Kennedy Wamurwa, Fred Wekesa, the Late Catherine Nekesa, Charles Lwanga, the Late Luminitus and the Late Margaret. Maayi Ann was a strong woman who gave birth to all her children at home, except the last two. She could mention each of her child’s birthday off head.
Mama Ann was the glue that held her family together, especially because her husband was always busy with work. She raised all her children to be upright and God-fearing citizens. She also instilled in them a strong culture of hard work. She taught her children to do all types of jobs regardless of their gender. Milking, cooking, drawing water from the river, washing utensils and even looking for firewood was done by both boys and girls.
Although a strict disciplinarian, she had a big heart and was always ready to accept anyone and everyone, for as long as they were willing to live by her standards. She was a beacon of love, warmth, and generosity. Whenever she cooked food in her home, she never fed her children alone. She always welcomed a neighbor or even a passerby to also partake of that meal.
On several occasions, Mama’s children brought her various items whenever they visited her, but she would not enjoy those goodies alone. She shared with her neighbours and friends. She was a caring and concerned mother who always received her daughters-in-law and grandchildren with open arms. The first question she asked anyone who visited her was ‘have you eaten?’ Then she would go ahead to prepare food for that person.
Nabakhwana, as she was fondly known, leaves behind nine children, 57 grandchildren and 47 great-grandchildren.
Strong in Faith;
Born and raised a Roman Catholic, Mama Ann remained a strong Christian to her last day on earth. Most importantly, she ensured that her children knew God. She raised all of them in the Roman Catholic Church and to date, they firmly hold on to the tenets of the church.
Mama was very prayerful and honored God in her daily life, and taught her children to do the same. She ensured that her children were baptized at birth, and she taught them to value the blessings God had given them and encouraged them to glorify God in their lives.
Mama Ann enjoyed good health well into her old age. However, she fell sick in 2009 and was treated in Nairobi and discharged. Her health condition worsened when she suffered a stroke in 2022. She was attended to in various hospitals
She was an active member of St. Kizito Prayer Group within the Mukhweya Catholic Sub- Parish. She was a member of The Legion of Mary, a Catholic organization of lay people who serve the church and community on voluntary basis. They do this by praying, participating in the sacraments, devoting themselves to The Virgin Mary and the Trinity, and Serving the Church and community through spiritual works of mercy. She was also a good singer in church. As a Christian, the hallmark of Mama Ann’s life was justice and fairness. She spoke openly against anything that she felt was not being done right
Love for Education;
As a parent, Mama Ann ensured that all her children attended school and she keenly followed their class performances. Whenever her child performed well and led in their class,
Mama Ann would slaughter for him or her a chicken to eat alone as others watched. On the other hand, she never hesitated to punish those that were not doing well in school. This was her style of instilling the culture of hard work in her children
Social Worker;
Between 1960 and 1963, Mama Ann served as a social worker in the then Department of Community Development under the then Ministry of Culture and Social Services. She taught knitting, crocheting and modern cookery techniques. Hers was also a model home used to teach other mothers in the community on how to plan and manage their homes.
She was a diligent farmer. She developed her farm into a model farm that was used for demonstrations by the agricultural extension officers who were locally known as ‘karakacha.’ Despite the rapid expansion of her family, Mama Ann never bought foodstuff. She meticulously sorted and stored her harvests for future family consumption. Her banana plantation, just to mention one, still is an enviable venture in these parts. Besides bananas, her farm was full of other crops such as coffee, pineapples, cassava, sweet potatoes, groundnuts, sim-sim, among others.
Last Days;
Mama Ann enjoyed good health well into her old age. However, she fell sick in 2009 and was treated in Nairobi and discharged. Her health condition worsened when she suffered a stroke in 2022. She was attended to in various hospitals including Eldoret Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Mediheal Hospital and Hopkins Hospital.
On the morning of 20th December 2024, she developed breathing complications and was rushed to Hopkins Hospital in Bungoma. She was unfortunately pronounced dead later that day. The family of Mzee Dominico Wetang’ula humbly appreciates the efforts of doctors who sustained her health up to her last days.
And as the curtain finally comes down on the life of a truly distinguished matriarch who gave her all in serving God and humanity, her legacy will live forever as the melodies of her works and deeds linger on.
Burial: 3rd January 2024 at her Mukhweya home in Kabuchai Constituency – Bungoma County
Funeral Program; Mama Anne Nanyama Wetang’ula Eulogy
