Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Wafula Chebukati died on Friday after battling a terminal illness, his family confirmed.
Mr Chebukati served as the chairperson of the IEBC from January 2017 to January 2023.
His tenure was marked by controversy and political tension, having overseen the contentious 2017 and 2022 General Elections.
Appointed by then-president Uhuru Kenyatta, Chebukati took office alongside commissioners Boya Molu and Abdi Guliye, replacing the Isaack Hassan-led team.
The 2017 presidential election, held under his leadership, was annulled by the Supreme Court due to widespread irregularities, making it the first such ruling in Africa. This placed intense scrutiny on Chebukati’s leadership and the credibility of the IEBC.
The subsequent repeat election was boycotted by the opposition, further deepening political tensions.
Additionally, internal conflicts within the IEBC saw commissioner Roselyn Akombe resign a week before the rerun, citing political interference.
In April 2018, three more commissioners—Margaret Mwachanya, Connie Maina, and Paul Kurgat—resigned, accusing Chebukati of poor leadership and alleging external influence on the commission’s operations.
Further controversy arose when former IEBC ICT Manager Chris Msando was brutally murdered just days before the 2017 elections.
His death sparked speculation about electoral integrity and security concerns under his helm.
Chebukati’s leadership once again faced major challenges during the 2022 General Election.
Although the IEBC initially appeared united, divisions emerged on August 15, 2022, when four commissioners, led by Vice-Chairperson Juliana Cherera, publicly disowned the presidential results, citing “opaqueness” in the verification process.
This internal rebellion led to heightened political tensions, with the so-called “Cherera Four” later facing impeachment proceedings before eventually resigning.
Despite the internal turmoil, Chebukati proceeded to declare William Ruto as the winner of the presidential race.
The opposition challenged the results in court, but the Supreme Court upheld Ruto’s victory, effectively affirming Chebukati’s decision.
Allegations later surfaced regarding attempts by powerful individuals to manipulate the election results, with Chebukati himself claiming he had resisted pressure to alter the outcome.
Throughout his tenure, Chebukati faced accusations of bias and electoral mismanagement.
Opposition leaders, including Raila Odinga, consistently called for his prosecution, alleging that the 2022 presidential election was manipulated.
There were also claims of internal rifts within the commission, with critics arguing that the electoral body lacked transparency and independence under his leadership.
In 2019, Chebukati came under fire for delays in replacing commissioners and filling key administrative positions at the IEBC.
Civil society groups accused him of failing to implement necessary electoral reforms and maintain public confidence in the commission’s processes.
Wafula Chebukati’s legacy remains deeply polarizing.
To his supporters, he was a principled leader who upheld the rule of law despite immense political pressure. President William Ruto praised him for resisting “blackmail and bribery” during the election process.
However, to his critics, he was a controversial figure accused of overseeing flawed elections that led to deep political divisions in the country.
Born on December 22, 1961, in Bungoma County, Chebukati was a distinguished lawyer.
He obtained a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi, a postgraduate diploma from the Kenya School of Law, and a Master of Business Administration from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).
He was also a former member of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ).
For his service, he was awarded the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (EGH) by President William Ruto, one of Kenya’s highest state honors.
Chebukati is survived by his wife, Mary Chebukati, and their three children. Further details on his funeral arrangements will be announced by the family in due course.
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