Wanga king sets record straight

By TITUS TOO

Controversy has emerged in the Wanga kingdom after council of elders and the current king dismissed late former senior chief William Rapando Wambani as King of Wanga.

His Royal Highness Nabongo Peter Mumia II said he is the traditional king of Wanga Kingdom – Luhya.

His Highness Nabongo Peter Mumias II (left) addresses the Press on the controversy over the Wanga Kingdom in Eldoret, on Wednesday. Wanga elders were present. [PHOTO: PETER OCHIENG/STANDARD]

"I am alive and exercising my royal duties as a king," he said.

"My attention has been drawn to media reports emanating from the funeral of Wambani. I and the council are not aware of any other kingdom in Wanga other than this one that is 1,000 years old currently under my leadership," added Mumia II.

Addressing the Press in Eldoret town On Thursday, he said the Wanga Kingdom is the only one known in the republic and dates back to the 11th century.

The burial of Wambani in Mumias at the weekend, which was attended by dignitaries including Prime Minister Raila Odinga, received publicity locally and internationally.

Wambani’s eldest son was installed as the next king to succeed his father, a move termed as unprocedural by Mumia II.

On Thursday, Mumia II who is also Chairman of Nabongo Cultural Centre and national coordinator of the house of traditional elders said he convened the news conference to correct misleading reports on the Wanga Kingdom.

He added that the Wanga Kingdom has a rich chronological profile of organised civil administration and governance that respects reigns of Nabongo Wanga, the kingdom’s founder.

Mumia II was accompanied by his adviser Joseph Luta, Ali Wamaya, the secretary general and Councillor Ramadhan Ali.

Distort history

"The late ex-senior chief Wambani, who was laid to rest last Saturday, was a member of the Nabongo Council and served on the advisory committee until his death," said Mumia II in his statement.

He said it would be a disservice to future generations if a few people were allowed to distort the history of Wanga Kingdom that has even been taught in schools. "Nabongo cultural centre hosts scholars from institutions of higher learning to source for the rich historical materials of the kingdom and they must get the right facts," added Mumia II.

The king said the family and the council of elders would resolve the row in accordance to tradition.

Mumia II was crowned as King of the Wanga kingdom in a ceremony that was attended by various dignitaries including a representative from Libya. Wambani was laid to rest in according to tradition that befits a king.