Championing Leadership, Governance, and National Unity
A distinguished career in law, diplomacy, and parliamentary leadership
Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses Wetang'ula was born on September 13, 1956, in Kanduyi, Bungoma County, a region in Western Kenya. He began his education at Nalondo Primary School in Bungoma County, where he developed the discipline and work ethic that would carry him forward. He later joined Friends School Kamusinga for his secondary education, a school well known for nurturing leadership and academic excellence.
He went on to study law at the University of Nairobi, earning his Bachelor of Laws degree at a time when the university was a hub of intellectual and political discourse. This exposure sharpened his understanding of governance and justice, and deepened his interest in national leadership. He later trained at the Kenya School of Law and was admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, becoming a member of the Law Society of Kenya.
Hon. Wetang’ula’s engagements in public service span forty years. He began his service in the judiciary as a Magistrate in 1982 and served in Kithimani, Machakos, and Rongo Stations. Hon. Wetang’ula is known for his exceptional grasp of parliamentary practices and procedures, making him an astute debater. In recognition of his diligent work for the community, Kibabii University awarded him an Honorary Degree. He was presented with the Nations Civility Award by the iChange Nations Global Organization, which recognizes outstanding humanitarian efforts that have a transformative impact on nations.
Speaker Rt. Hon. Moses Wetang’ula began his political career in 1993 when he was nominated to the 7 th Parliament (1993- 1997). He served for five cumulative terms between 1993 and 2013 as a Member of the National Assembly for Sirisia Constituency, and as Senator for Bungoma County for the period (2013-2022). During his first term as a Nominated Member, he served as a member of the Speaker’s Panel (Temporary Deputy Speaker), the House Business Committee as well as the Committee on Defence & Foreign Relations. He was also an active Member of the CPA Executive Committee. In the 7th Parliament, he led various reforms to the House's rules of procedure and was the Leader of the Kenya delegation to the African, Caribbean and Pacific-European Union Joint Assembly (ACP-EU JPA).
During his first term in the Senate (2013-2022) and part of his second as Senator for Bungoma County, Hon. Wetang’ula served as the Senate Minority Leader and a member of the Senate Business Committee. He also served as a member of the Senate Standing Committee on Defence & Foreign Relations and the Committee on Finance & Budget. Prior to 2013, Dr. Wetang’ula held various Cabinet portfolios, between 2011 and 2013; Minister for Trade, Chairperson of the African Union Peace & Security Council. Further, between 2004 and 2007, he served as an Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs before being appointed as the Minister for Foreign Affairs, a position he held up to 2011. Speaker Wetang’ula is also the Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD-Kenya) party leader since 2012 upto date.
Globally, Hon. Wetang’ula seeks to continue building and strengthening parliamentary diplomacy and the long and rich relationship the Parliament of Kenya has had with key players, including the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA); the Pan-African Parliament (PAP); the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU); the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).
Leadership Roles
1997 – 2013 | Member of Parliament (Sirisia Constituency)
Key roles: