Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson Wafula Chebukati has passed away. According to his family, he died on Thursday, February 20, at 11 PM while receiving treatment at a Nairobi hospital. He had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit for nearly a week after initially receiving treatment at home.
Background
Wafula Chebukati was born on December 22, 1961, in Bungoma County. He was a distinguished lawyer and public servant, best known for his tenure as the IEBC chairperson from January 2017 to January 18, 2023. During his six-year tenure, he oversaw three Kenyan elections: the 2017 General Election, the October 2017 repeat presidential election, and the 2022 General Election. His time in office was marked by significant political and legal challenges, with both praise and criticism surrounding his handling of the electoral process.
Chebukati pursued a Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of Nairobi and later obtained a postgraduate diploma from the Kenya School of Law (KSL). Additionally, he earned a Master of Business Administration from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). He was a former member of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), the Institute of Certified Secretaries, and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ).
Professional Career
Before joining the IEBC, Chebukati had a legal career spanning over 37 years. He established his own law firm, which he ran for 20 years, specializing in corporate and commercial law, corporate governance, and dispute resolution. In 2006, he co-founded Cootow & Associates Advocates, a Nairobi-based law firm, which he resigned from in 2017 upon taking the IEBC chairmanship.
Aside from his legal practice, Chebukati had political aspirations. In 2007, he contested the Saboti Constituency parliamentary seat under the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) but finished second. He later resigned from ODM before applying for the position of IEBC chairperson.
Recognition and Legacy
For his service to the country, Chebukati was awarded the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (EGH) by President William Ruto, one of Kenya’s highest state honors. His contributions to the electoral system and democracy in Kenya have left a lasting impact.
Personal Life
Chebukati is survived by his wife, Mary Chebukati, whom he married in 1990, and their three children—two sons and a daughter.
His passing marks the end of a significant chapter in Kenya’s electoral history. Further updates regarding his funeral arrangements and tributes from national leaders will follow.
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