National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has moved to clarify circulating claims regarding the condition of Kwanza MP Ferdinand Wanyonyi.
Speaking on Thursday, December 4, Wetang’ula explained that the MP had been hospitalised in Nairobi for an extended period before doctors advised that he be transferred to India for specialised treatment.
"I want to inform the house that the Hon. Ferdinand Wanyonyi, the member for Kwanza, is unwell. He was in Nairobi Hospital for about a month, and the doctors recommended that we take him to India," he said.
Wetang'ula noted that he had personally spoken to the MP recently and that parliamentary officials had also made contact, stressing that Wanyonyi is alive and responding positively to treatment.
He stated that the clarification was necessary to counter malicious rumours circulating in the MP’s constituency.
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"Yesterday, I had a conference call with him, and this morning the clerk did the same. I’m saying this because I want to send a message to the evil rumourmongers out there in his constituency that he passed on, and we are holding on to information maliciously.
"He has not passed on; he’s in a hospital in India and responding well to treatment," he added.
This comes weeks after Wetang’ula announced the death of Parliamentary Service staffer, Dr. Philip Brightone Buchere, who passed away on Monday, November 24.
In a statement, he conveyed the news of the officer’s death, describing it as a heartbreaking moment for Parliament and the wider public service.
Wetang'ula disclosed that Buchere died while receiving treatment at the University Hospital Wurzburg in Germany.
"It is with deep sorrow and grief that I regret to announce the sudden, untimely and shocking demise of Dr Philip Brightone Buchere, who passed away this morning while undergoing treatment at the University Hospital Wurzburg in Germany," he said.
Wetang’ula went on to recount Buchere’s long and dedicated service within the Parliamentary Service, explaining his entry into the institution and the positions he held over the years.
He recalled that Buchere began his journey in Parliament more than a decade ago, first taking up a senior role in curriculum development and training before being redeployed to the Senate.
"Dr. Buchere joined the Parliamentary Service on 1st November 2013 in the position of Director, Curriculum Development, Training and Research at the Centre for Parliamentary Studies and Training (CPST). Dr. Buchere served at the CPST until 15th April 2021 when he was deployed to the Senate as the Head of the Senate Liaison Office," he added.
Wetang'ula then highlighted Buchere’s leadership roles, particularly his stewardship of the Parliamentary Service Commission Staff Pensions Scheme.
He further explained that Buchere played a pivotal part in the implementation of the Post Retirement Medical Scheme.
"Dr Buchere has served the Parliamentary Service in various capacities, key among them being the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Parliamentary Service Commission Staff Pensions Scheme from 30th September 2019 until his demise. In this capacity, he championed prudent investment of members' funds, leading to an unprecedented return of interest in the last financial year 2024/2025.
"Notably, Dr Buchere oversaw the establishment and implementation of the Post Retirement Medical scheme for staff, which came into effect on 1st July, 2022," he continued.
Wetang’ula noted that the death represents a major loss not only to Parliament but also to the public service, adding that funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.
"His death is a devastating loss to the Parliamentary Service and the wider Public Service. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and colleagues during this very difficult time. Further details in relation to funeral and burial arrangements will be communicated in due course," he concluded.
