Fresh details have emerged about the health condition of Kwanza Member of Parliament Ferdinand Wanyonyi after National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula disclosed that the legislator is currently unable to speak and is undergoing intensive speech therapy following serious health complications.
Speaking before Parliament on Thursday, Wetang’ula provided a rare update on the MP’s condition, revealing that Wanyonyi has been battling significant health challenges that prompted Parliament to intervene and facilitate specialised treatment abroad.
According to the Speaker, the veteran lawmaker was flown to India after local doctors recommended advanced medical care. The move came after weeks of concern over his deteriorating health and prolonged hospitalization.
“The Honourable Ferdinand has been having serious health challenges, which Parliament took up. We took him to a hospital in India where he underwent treatment, and he has since returned,” Wetang’ula told members of the House.
While the MP’s return to Kenya has been welcomed by colleagues, the latest update indicates that his recovery journey is far from over.
Wetang’ula revealed that Wanyonyi is currently facing difficulties with speech, one of the lingering effects of his illness. Medical experts are now working closely with him through specialised speech therapy sessions aimed at helping him regain his ability to communicate normally.
“Unfortunately, Ferdinand currently has a challenge with his speech and is undergoing speech therapy, but we thank God that he is back,” the Speaker stated.
The announcement has renewed concern among constituents and fellow leaders who have closely followed the MP’s health battle over the past several months.
The latest update comes against the backdrop of widespread rumours that circulated late last year regarding Wanyonyi’s condition. At the time, speculation in parts of his constituency suggested that the legislator had passed away, forcing parliamentary leadership to issue a public clarification.
Addressing the National Assembly in December 2025, Wetang’ula firmly dismissed the claims, explaining that Wanyonyi had initially spent nearly a month receiving treatment at Nairobi Hospital before doctors recommended that he be transferred to India for more specialised care.
“I want to inform the House that the Honourable Ferdinand Wanyonyi is unwell. He was in Nairobi Hospital for about a month, and the doctors recommended that we take him to India,” Wetang’ula said at the time.
Determined to counter the rumours, the Speaker disclosed that he had personally spoken with the MP and that senior parliamentary officials had maintained regular communication with him.
He strongly criticized individuals spreading misinformation about Wanyonyi’s condition.
“I want to send a message to the rumourmongers claiming that he passed away. He has not passed on. He is in a hospital in India and responding well to treatment,” he emphasized.
In January, Wetang’ula travelled to Kerala, India, where Wanyonyi was receiving treatment at KIMS Health Care Management Limited. Following the visit, the Speaker expressed optimism after witnessing encouraging signs of recovery.
According to Wetang’ula, doctors overseeing the MP’s treatment reported that he had responded positively to rehabilitation and that his condition had stabilized under close medical supervision.
The medical team, led by rehabilitation specialist Dr. Nitha J, reportedly assured parliamentary leaders that Wanyonyi was receiving comprehensive care from a multidisciplinary team focused on restoring his health and independence.
As the Kwanza MP continues his recovery journey, colleagues, constituents, and supporters remain hopeful that the speech therapy and ongoing rehabilitation will help him regain full strength.
For now, the veteran legislator faces perhaps the most challenging battle of his life—not on the political stage, but on the long road back to health.
