Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson Wafula Chebukati has died. The seasoned lawyer and electoral expert passed away on Thursday night after being hospitalized in Nairobi for nearly a week. Reports indicate that he had been receiving treatment at home before his condition worsened, leading to his admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). However, details regarding his ailment remain private.
Born on December 22, 1961, Chebukati’s life was defined by public service, law, and governance. His tenure as IEBC chair from January 2017 to January 2023 saw him oversee three significant elections: the 2017 Kenyan general election, the October 2017 repeat presidential election, and the 2022 general election. His leadership at the commission was marked by both praise and controversy, particularly in the 2017 elections, which saw the Supreme Court nullify the presidential results, leading to a historic repeat election.
Before joining IEBC, Chebukati had an extensive legal career spanning 37 years. He ran his own law firm for two decades before founding Cootow & Associates Advocates in 2006. His expertise covered corporate law, commercial law, corporate governance, and dispute resolution. A former member of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), he played a crucial role in shaping Kenya’s legal landscape.
Aside from law, Chebukati had a brief stint in politics. He was a member of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and contested the Saboti parliamentary seat in 2007, finishing second. However, he later resigned from politics before applying for the IEBC chairmanship. His tenure at the commission cemented his role as a key figure in Kenya’s electoral process.
In recognition of his service, President William Ruto awarded him the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (EGH), the second-highest honor in Kenya. His educational background included studies at Lenana High School, a Bachelor of Law from the University of Nairobi, a postgraduate diploma from the Kenya School of Law, and a Master of Business Administration from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).
Chebukati is survived by his wife, Mary Chebukati, and their three children. His death marks the end of an era in Kenya’s electoral history, leaving behind a legacy of legal expertise, governance, and electoral reforms.
