Mzee Dominic Wetang'ula with President William Ruto and his son National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula/ HANDOUTOne might expect a husband to be overcome with tears when bidding farewell to his wife, but Mzee Dominic Wetang’ula brought laughter to mourners with his lighthearted remarks during her burial.
The 97-year-old said he is now a senior bachelor as his two wives are now late.
He said the Friday service held in Bungoma was his second wedding to his late wife.
Mzee Dominic went down memory lane stating that they first got married on August 20, 1950, correcting the dates in the burial programme which read August 21.
“Kwa programme wameandika 21, lakini mimi najua ni August 20. Tumeishi na tumebarikiwa na Watoto,” he said.
(In the programme they have written 21 but I know it was August 20. We have been blessed with children).
Mzee Dominic went on to describe his late wife as a strong woman, saying this is evident on the number of children she gave birth to.
“Bibi yangu alikua na nguvu kama yangu. Nasema hivyo kwa sababu aliza mapacha safari nne (My wife was as strong as me. I am saying this because she delivered sets of twins four times),” he said.
“Sifikiri katika Kenya hii kuna mtu amepata mapacha safari nne kama mimi. kwa hivyo mimi ni ndume (I don’t think if there is anyone in Kenya who can give birth to twins four times. So, I am a bull).”
The two were blessed with 15 children. His second wife also had 15 children.
He mourned that God has taken away some of the children and now his wife.
“God has taken all my darlings away from me,” Mzee Dominic said.
In attendance at Mama Ann’s final farewell was President William Ruto among other leaders.