Only hours after bizarre rumours of his alleged death ricocheted across social media, National Assembly Speaker Moses Masika Wetang’ula emerged defiantly in the public eye—alive, active and firmly in charge—presiding over parliamentary business and steering a contentious welfare agenda for former legislators.
The rumours, which spread rapidly online, coincided with the Speaker’s recent official trip to India and were further fuelled by photos of him visiting ailing Kwanza MP Ferdinand Wanyonyi in Kerala. But on January 19, 2026, Wetang’ula put the speculation to rest with a blunt video statement posted on social media.
“Still alive, still kicking, still on duty. Handling parliamentary duties in Naivasha,” he said.
The clarification reassured many Kenyans even as it reignited debate over the ethics and impact of digital misinformation in national discourse.
At the time the rumours surfaced, Wetang’ula was attending the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) in New Delhi, where he held talks with top Indian parliamentary leaders, including Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Shri Harivansh, Secretary General Utpal Kumar Singh and MP Shashi Tharoor.
The discussions centred on deepening Kenya–India parliamentary cooperation, reviving stalled training programmes for Kenyan parliamentary staff—particularly in legislative drafting—and strengthening parliamentary friendship groups for sustained engagement.
While in India, Wetang’ula also visited MP Ferdinand Wanyonyi, later confirming that the legislator was responding well to treatment and rehabilitation, and noting Kerala’s growing reputation as a preferred destination for specialised medical care among Kenyans.
Back home, and undeterred by the rumours, the Speaker yesterday afternoon presided over a special sitting of the Parliamentary Service Commission in Naivasha.
In his capacity as Chairperson of the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC), Wetang’ula also chaired the inaugural meeting of the 10-member Board of Trustees of the Members’ Post-Service Medical Scheme, describing it as a milestone in safeguarding the long-term welfare of both serving and former legislators.
“Many Members face harsh realities after leaving Parliament,” he said in his keynote address, stressing the urgent need to restore and protect their dignity through structured post-service support mechanisms.
The meeting doubled as an induction for trustees and featured expert briefings on policy, regulatory requirements, and the operational, financial and governance frameworks critical to the scheme’s sustainability.
The Board is chaired by Hon. Tom Joseph “TJ” Kajwang’, CBS, MP, and includes Sen. Okong’o Omogeni, CBS; Hon. Rachel Ameso, CBS, MP; Sen. (Rtd) Stewart Madzayo, EGH; Hon. Samuel Chepkonga, MP; Hon. CPA Mary Emaase, MP; Sen. Esther Okenyuri; Hon. Gabriel Kago, MP; Mr. Samuel Njoroge, CBS; and Mr. Jeremiah Nyegenye, CBS.
Despite the storm of rumours, Wetang’ula used the moment to reaffirm his grip on parliamentary leadership—turning viral falsehoods into a platform to advance welfare reforms and Kenya’s international parliamentary diplomacy.
