National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, alongside Senate Speaker Rt. Hon. Amason Kingi, joined fellow legislators on Saturday at the funeral of Mama Esther Tapsiarga Lelei, mother of Senator Jackson Mandago, held at Sigen Farm in Soy Constituency, Uasin Gishu County.
Wetangula eulogised Mama Tapsiarga as a focused, God-fearing, and inspiring woman who, despite lacking formal education, dedicated her life to ensuring her children achieved academic success.
“She was a woman of remarkable determination whose life was a lesson in devotion and resilience,” he said.
President Dr. William Ruto was absent from the ceremony but sent a message of condolence that Wetangula read on his behalf.
In the message, Ruto described Mama Tapsiarga as a respectable, hardworking, and God-fearing parent whose impact on society will remain enduring.
He praised her dedication to raising upright and diligent children, highlighting Senator Mandago as a testament to her tireless efforts.
After attending the funeral, Speaker Kingi took to social media to reflect on Mama Tapsiarga’s life, describing her as a mother, community leader, pioneer entrepreneur, and advocate for women’s empowerment.
“Together with my brother, Rt Hon Moses Wetang’ula, we joined Senator Jackson Mandago, relatives, friends and legislators in bidding farewell to Gogo Esther Tapsiarga Lelei,” Kingi posted.
He added that she was a grassroots mobilizer who influenced the political direction of her community and encouraged women’s participation in leadership, civic engagement, and community development.
The funeral attracted numerous legislators, community leaders, and family members who joined Senator Mandago in mourning.
The presence of Wetangula and Kingi underscored solidarity from Parliament and the wider political community during the bereavement.