President William Ruto was among the top leaders who attended the burial of former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati at his Sabata home in Kiminini, Trans Nzoia County. The ceremony, held on Saturday, drew a host of dignitaries, including Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka, and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, among others.
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo and several Members of Parliament were also present at the funeral, which was marked by a solemn tribute to Chebukati’s legacy in Kenya’s electoral history. The former IEBC chairman, who served his full six-year term until January 17, 2023, passed away on February 21, 2025, while undergoing treatment in Nairobi. He was 63 years old.
Chebukati’s family spokesperson, Eric Nyongesa, revealed that he had been battling brain cancer and had undergone two surgeries during his treatment. Tragically, he suffered a cardiac arrest on Thursday night, which led to his demise.
The burial, however, was overshadowed by concerns over potential political tensions. Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Gideon Oyagi warned that security personnel were on high alert to prevent any form of political disruption. He stressed that the funeral was a non-political event, cautioning against any form of hooliganism.
“We are not going to condone any form of hooliganism, which is becoming a norm in this region where politicians take advantage of funerals to flex their political muscles,” Oyagi stated.
The commissioner further declared that individuals wearing political party regalia would not be permitted at the event. This came after Governor Natembeya had earlier sounded an alarm that some politicians were allegedly mobilizing supporters to cause chaos at the funeral.
Amid these concerns, the event proceeded peacefully, with leaders eulogizing Chebukati as a dedicated public servant. Having studied law at the University of Nairobi after attending Lenana High School, Chebukati played a crucial role in Kenya’s electoral reforms. His tenure at the IEBC was marked by both challenges and significant milestones, shaping the country’s electoral landscape.
His passing marks the end of an era in Kenya’s electoral leadership, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and commitment to democratic governance.
