NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson Wafula Chebukati has passed away.
Chebukati, who served as the electoral agency’s chair from 2017 to 2023, died while receiving treatment at a hospital in Nairobi.
Sources close to the family revealed that he had been battling an undisclosed illness for some time and was initially receiving treatment at home before being admitted to the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.
Education and Personal Life
Chebukati was an alumnus of Lenana High School and held a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi.
He also pursued a Master of Business Administration at 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).
A Controversial but Pivotal Figure in Kenya’s Electoral History
Born on December 22, 1961, Wafula Chebukati will be remembered as the man who presided over three of Kenya’s most consequential elections—each marked by political turbulence, legal battles, and public scrutiny.
His tenure as IEBC chair spanned six years, from January 2017 to January 18, 2023, making him the first to complete the full constitutional term in office.
Chebukati was appointed by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, succeeding Ahmed Issack Hassan.
His leadership saw him oversee the contentious 2017 general election, which was nullified by the Supreme Court—a first in Kenya’s history.
This led to a repeat presidential election in October 2017, which was boycotted by opposition leader Raila Odinga.
Despite the setbacks, Chebukati remained at the helm, ultimately managing the 2022 general election that saw President William Ruto declared the winner amid heightened political tensions.
His final moments in office were marred by deep divisions within the IEBC, with four commissioners distancing themselves from the results, citing a lack of transparency.
The dramatic scenes at Bomas of Kenya, where the presidential results were announced amid chaos, will forever be etched in Kenya’s political history.
A Career in Law and Politics
Before his tenure at the IEBC, Chebukati was a seasoned lawyer with over three decades of experience.
He founded Cootow & Associates Advocates, a Nairobi-based law firm, which he resigned from upon taking public office.
Chebukati also had a brief political career, running for the Saboti parliamentary seat in 2007 under the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
He finished second and later stepped away from active politics before applying for the IEBC chairmanship.
A Legacy of Resilience and Controversy
Chebukati’s tenure as IEBC chair will be remembered as one of the most challenging in Kenya’s electoral history.
While some praised his commitment to upholding the integrity of elections, others accused him of bias and mismanagement.
His final election, the 2022 presidential poll, culminated in an extraordinary moment of defiance when four commissioners publicly rejected the results.
The dramatic fallout underscored the deep divisions that defined his tenure.
Despite the controversies, Chebukati leaves behind a legacy of resilience in the face of immense political pressure.
His leadership during some of Kenya’s most contested elections will remain a defining chapter in the country’s democratic journey.
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 chapter in Kenya’s electoral history—one defined by resilience, controversy, and the ever-present challenge of safeguarding democracy.
