UASIN GISHU, Kenya – On Friday, February 21, 2025, Kenyans woke up to the news of the death of immediate former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Wafula Chebukati.
President William Ruto, his deputy Kithure Kindiki, former president Uhuru Kenyatta, and Raila Odinga were among the notable Kenyans who mourned the former boss of Kenya’s electoral agency.
Former presidential aspirant Reuben Kigame was not left behind.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the late former IEBC Chair, Wafula Chebukati. It is my prayer that God will comfort his family and help them bear the loss with fortitude and strength at this difficult time,” Kigame said.
How Reuben Kigame took issue with Chebukati’s conduct
In his own words, Kigame, a gospel artist-turned-politician, went on:
“Losing a loved one is never easy, and we recognise the pain that comes with it.”
I have received the news of the passing of former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Chairperson Wafula Chebukati with profound sorrow. Chebukati was a principled and diligent leader who served the nation with integrity. His death is a great loss to our country.…
However, Kigame, the deputy party leader of the Justice and Freedom Party, appeared not to mince his words while mourning Chebukati, who presided over three general elections after he poked holes at his helm at the electoral body.
“Despite mixed feelings about the role that Chebukati played in Kenya’s recent electoral journey, I confess that we have been praying for his healing because he carries many answers to unresolved issues surrounding the last elections and the many court cases,” Kigame said in a statement seen by Y News.
Why Wafula Chebukati took Reuben Kigame to court
Kigame recalled that Chebukati had filed a court case against his participation in the 2022 presidential election, which he observed is still unheard of in the Court of Appeal.
“I wish he were alive to tell Kenyans what he knows about the deaths of Mr. Christopher Msando, an electoral commission IT manager and returning officer for Embakasi East Constituency, and Mr. Daniel Mbolu Musyoka. It would have been nice for him to be alive to tell Kenyans what he meant by his fourth June 2022 statement to me that he would have wanted to include me in the ballot, but his hands were tied,” said Kigame.
Kigame, who doubles as the leader of the Jenga Mkenya Movement, reiterated that an election in and of itself is an emotive issue—an onerous task—adding that it takes only the bravest of everyone to be—in the words of Theodore Roosevelt—“the man in the arena” as the referee.
“In his best judgement, Wafula Chebukati deemed it fit to deny us the opportunity to contest the presidency in 2022. It was a moment of deep disappointment, and subsequent court decisions did not entirely agree with this non-independent overreach—setting a significant precedent for future elections,” Kigame explained.
Tribute following the demise of Immediate Chairperson, Mr. Wafula Wanyonyi Chebukati, EGH bit.ly/4hM68aL
He disclosed that he and his supporters did not take it personally when the IEBC, through Chebukati, locked him out of the 2022 presidential race but instead picked vital lessons from what he termed a harsh decision.
Kigame said the lessons from that experience continue to shape his understanding of electoral justice and democratic resilience.
“As we reflect on his legacy, it is important to acknowledge both his contributions and the lessons from his tenure. His role in shaping Kenya’s electoral processes leaves behind valuable insights—both in progress made and the critical areas where trust and accountability must be strengthened,” Kigame further said.
What Wafula Chebukati’s death teaches us
Chebukati’s death Kigame indicated that also teaches us that life is short and can end suddenly despite who we are and the roles we play in society.
“Moving forward, we must remain committed to building institutions that uphold democracy with integrity, ensuring that the challenges of the past guide us toward a more transparent and just future,” Kigame added.
As much as we say don’t talk I’ll of the dead wacha tu nionge initoke Chebukati’s actions at the IEBC didn’t oversee an election, they sealed Kenya’s fate, forcing a regime that has left Kenyans suffering under broken promises and economic hardship. #IEBCmustgo #BUNGEMUSTGO
Kigame emphasised that for nation-states that aspire to safeguard democracy, the demise of an electoral commission agent is often unsettling and is a wake-up call.
“For they depart to the land beyond the skies carrying dossiers on the management of elections, whether free or unfree, fair or unfair, credible or terrible. I close by saying that the scriptures urge us to mourn with those who mourn and rejoice with those who rejoice. We may not have agreed on many things, yet I mourn him and ask God to help us all revisit our mortality and ensure that we are right with Him. May his soul rest in peace,” Kigame wrote.
