Thousands of mourners gathered at Sinoko village, Ndivisi ward in Webuye East to bid farewell to the late Mzee Richard Wanyonyi Namisi. Among the mourners were leaders, West Media staff and fans, including representatives form different Counties. The late Mzee Namisi’s son, Walter Namisi, famously known as DJ Walter, said his father was a family loving man who loved his family and guided them in the right direction, placing emphasis on education, especially the girl child education. “Anytime there was an issue, he would call all of us and offer advice,” he said, “He insisted on the girl child’s education and wanted every child to be educated.” He added that as a family, they tried their best to save him but it in the end it was in vain, “As a family, we are going to miss him so much and we hope he will rest in peace.” He further thanked his colleagues from West Media and other media houses for standing with him during the trying times.
The Head of West FM Radio Nandemu Barasa eulogized the late Namisi as a man who loved peace and always supported development. He said his death was not only a setback to his family, the Tachoni community but also to the West Media family , “I’ve known Mr. Namisi for a very long time and his advice always came in handy on issues dealing with culture, not only involving the Tachoni community, but the whole Western region,” he noted, adding that he also advised on issues in the County.
Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati took the opportunity to outline the projects that will be completed, “Today, as we mourn an icon and a man who was principled, I promise the people of Bungoma that the Misikhu-Brigadier road which is under construction will be competed by the end of next year. So far we’ve completed 18 kilometres yet the previous government had only tarmacked 800 metres,” he said, adding that residents close to the roads should support the project by allowing the road’s access. Moreover, he insisted on the importance of the Luhya community working together in unity, saying the community will have more bargaining power when they work together, “Am happy when I see Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa and my party boss Senator Moses Wetangula working together unlike before,” he said.
On his part, Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula also supported the sentiments, saying Luhya leaders should work together and knocked off the notion that the Luhya community cannot produce a Presidential candidate. Wetangula also was quick to assure Bungoma residents that no constituency, or ward from the County will be merged or done away with and urged leaders to quell the fears, after MCA Metrine Nangalama had alleged the possibility that Webuye East will be scrapped. On the referendum, he said the focus is on three facets, one being the restructuring of the executive to pave way for more inclusivity, two, to strengthen devolution so that Counties get more money and third, focus on strengthening institutions of governance like the judiciary.
