Hundreds of villagers and mourners from Waitaluk Kibormos village, Kiminini turned up to pay their last respects to the late Reverend Ronald Wanyama Wangwe, who is also the father of Joshua Wangwe alias Big Fish of West Media Limited.
The late Wanyama, 72, was laid to rest at his home in Kiminini after succumbing to a short illness that led to his death two weeks ago.
His family and relatives including the widow, Margaret Nekesa Wanyama, recalled how the late Wanyama was a unifying factor in his family hence his demise was received with shock.
“When I was told that my husband had passed on, I did not believe that I was hearing right, in fact I almost lost my mind. It was unbelievable how he could have just died like that without any prior signs that he would be leaving us for good,” said the widow as she addressed the mourners during the burial service.
Nekesa explained that her husband had just told her to look for a piece of land which he wanted to purchase before getting news of his demise.
“After hearing the news, I told my children to go straight to Webuye, where he was staying and confirm if the report we had received was indeed true and they went and confirmed that he was dead as reported,” she said.
The www.westfm.co.ke staff who work with Big Fish led by Nandemu Barasa, Robert Ilukol and Leonard Wamalwa also eulogized the late reverend and prayed for the family to get strength during such trying times.
Nandemu Barasa who carried a message from the board of directors of West Media, assured the company’s commitment and support to families of its staff members before handing over the donations from the staff and directors.
“The directors of West Media Limited who own West FM radio, West TV, The Weekly Western Chronicles and the www.westfm.co.ke, are deeply saddened with the demise of Reverend Wanyama and are in full support of the family through these trying times,” said Nandemu.
Other West FM staff members including presenters and reporters who attended the funeral service included Eric Lumbasi, Johnston Wambulwa, Victoria Sindani, Jacob Wanyonyi, Levi Wasikhuyu, Peter Nyongesa, Mike Musikoyo, Duncan Murunga among others.
You can also read, MMUST’s lecturer, Roselyne Nyongesa laid to rest
During the service, other leaders and politicians especially those aspiring to vie for the Waitaluk Ward, Kiminini, used the opportunity to urge the electorate to consider them in next year’s general elections by voting for them to represent them at the Trans Nzoia County Assembly.
Among those who showed interest included Barnabas Masafu who vied and lost to Simon Makhanu in the 2013 general elections and KUPPET Executive Secretary for Trans Nzoia branch Furaha Lusweti, who faulted the current leadership for having failed to offer direction and deliver development.