NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Wafula Chebukati has died while undergoing treatment in a Nairobi hospital.
Chebukati, who had been in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for nearly a week, had been receiving medical care at home before his condition worsened, prompting his admission.
Former IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati has died.
Details regarding his illness remain private, with close family sources confirming that he had been battling health complications for some time.
A Legacy Defined by Elections and Governance
Born on December 22, 1961, Chebukati’s career was deeply intertwined with Kenya’s electoral history. He served as IEBC chair from January 2017 to January 2023, overseeing three major elections:
- 2017 General Election
- October 2017 Repeat Presidential Election
- 2022 General Election
Before leading Kenya’s electoral body, Chebukati was a seasoned lawyer with 37 years of experience.
He ran his own law firm for two decades before founding Cootow & Associates Advocates in 2006, which he resigned from in 2017 to take up the IEBC role.
His legal expertise spanned corporate law, commercial law, governance, and dispute resolution.
From Politics to National Recognition
Chebukati wasn’t just a legal mind—he also dabbled in politics. In 2007, he ran for the Saboti Constituency parliamentary seat under the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) but fell short. He later cut ties with ODM before applying for the IEBC chairmanship.
In recognition of his service, President William Ruto awarded him the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (EGH)—Kenya’s second-highest state honor.
A Life Beyond Public Service
Away from politics and law, Chebukati was a family man. He married Mary Chebukati in 1990, and together they raised three children—a daughter and two sons.
He attended Lenana High School, earned a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Nairobi, a postgraduate diploma from the Kenya School of Law (KSL), and a Master of Business Administration from JKUAT.
He was also a former member of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), the Institute of Certified Secretaries, and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ).
As Kenya mourns, his impact on electoral integrity, governance, and legal reforms remains undeniable.
