Former IEBC Chair Wafula Chebukati Dies at 64
Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Wafula Chebukati has passed away, his family has confirmed.
His death follows reports that he had been critically ill and receiving treatment at a Nairobi hospital for nearly a week. He passed away at 11 PM on Thursday while in the Intensive Care Unit. However, the cause of his illness remains undisclosed.
Chebukati, who served as IEBC chair from 2017 to 2023, played a pivotal role in overseeing Kenya’s electoral processes, including the 2017 and 2022 General Elections as well as the repeat presidential election in 2017.
As a highly experienced lawyer, he practiced for 37 years and operated his law firm for two decades before founding Cootow & Associates Advocates in 2006. He resigned from the firm in 2017 upon taking up the IEBC chairmanship. His expertise was in corporate law, commercial law, governance, and dispute resolution.
Before joining the electoral commission, Chebukati had a brief political stint as a member of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), a position he relinquished when he applied for the IEBC role.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Chebukati, who was appointed Chairperson of the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) in 2023.
Outside of law and politics, Chebukati was passionate about golf, having served as chairman and captain of both Nyali and Mombasa Golf Clubs. He was also an active member of the Kenya Golfing Society.
President William Ruto has mourned Chebukati’s passing, calling it a great loss to the nation. He described him as a principled leader who served Kenya with integrity.
“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. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time. Rest in Peace,” He said.
Tags: Iebc Wafula Chebukati William Ruto
