SABATIA, Kenya – President William Ruto has announced plans to upgrade a school in Kiminini, Trans Nzoia County, and rename it after the late former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman, Wafula Chebukati.
Speaking at Chebukati’s burial service at his home in Sabatia, Kiminini Constituency, Ruto said the initiative would serve as a tribute to the ex-IEBC boss, lauding him for his integrity and role in ensuring transparency in the 2022 General Election.
“I agree with your leader that the school near here will be renamed, and I will help build 15 classrooms plus an ICT center,” the President said. “Chebukati used ICT to ensure the integrity of our elections, and for the first time, we had a process that was open because of technology. We shall build this school in his honor as a patriotic Kenyan.”
Chebukati, who completed his six-year term as IEBC chair on January 17, 2023, passed away on February 21, 2025, at the age of 63 while undergoing treatment in Nairobi.
Family spokesperson Eric Nyongesa revealed that Chebukati had been battling brain cancer, which was diagnosed in April 2023—just months after leaving office.
He underwent two surgeries, including one in Germany, where doctors successfully removed a tumor.
Despite a period of recovery, Chebukati continued to participate in global forums on electoral technology and governance until early 2024.
He later suffered a cardiac arrest while receiving treatment in Nairobi, leading to his demise.
