Former IEBC Chair, Wafula
Chebukati Dead at 63
Wafula Wanyonyi Chebukati, the
former Chairperson of Kenya's Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission
(IEBC), passed away on February 21, 2025, in Nairobi. He was 63 years old.
Chebukati had been admitted to a Nairobi hospital's Intensive Care Unit on
February 17, 2025, and remained under treatment until his death. The specific
illness leading to his hospitalization has not been publicly disclosed.
He was born on December 22, 1961,
in Kiminini, Trans Nzoia County, Kenya, Chebukati pursued a
distinguished career in law and public service. He earned a Bachelor of Law
degree from the University of Nairobi and later obtained a Master of Business
Administration from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
(JKUAT). Throughout his career, he was an active member of the Law Society of
Kenya, the Institute of Certified Secretaries, and the International Commission
of Jurists.
In 2006, Chebukati founded the
Nairobi-based law firm Cootow & Associates Advocates, where he served until
his resignation on January 17, 2017, to assume the role of IEBC Chairperson.
Appointed by then-President Uhuru Kenyatta, he succeeded Ahmed Issack Hassan.
During his tenure, Chebukati oversaw multiple elections, including the 2017
general election, the October 2017 presidential election re-run, and the 2022
general election, where William Ruto was declared President-elect. Notably, he
became the first IEBC Chairperson to complete the six-year constitutional term,
retiring on January 17, 2023. In recognition of his service, he was awarded the
Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (EGH), Kenya's second-highest civilian
honor.
Chebukati's leadership at the IEBC
was marked by significant challenges, including managing electoral disputes and
navigating political tensions. Despite these hurdles, he remained committed to
upholding the integrity of Kenya's electoral process. His passing marks the end
of a notable chapter in Kenya's democratic journey, reflecting his substantial
contributions to the nation's governance and legal landscape.
May
his soul rest in peace.