Former IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati Dies

Former IEBC Commissioner Wafula Chebukati briefing the media on election results at Bomas of Kenya on August 10, 2022. Photo

Wafula Chebukati, the former Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), passed away while receiving treatment at a hospital in Nairobi.

Chebukati's family verified the news of his passing just a week after he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the hospital, following several days of treatment at his home. 

Chebukati, who was 64 years old, passed away at 11 pm on Thursday. The former IEBC head had been in the hospital's Intensive Care Unit. The illness Chebukati was suffering from is still undisclosed.

ormer IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati delivers a keynote presentation in Lisbon Portugal on November 15, 2023. Photo Wafula Chebukati

Chebukati, born on December 22, 1961, went to Lenana High School in Nairobi County and subsequently enrolled at the University of Nairobi (UoN) to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Law.

Chebukati additionally obtained a master's degree in Business Administration from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).

Chebukati, who is affiliated with both the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ), gained prominence in 2007 when he contested for the Saboti Member of Parliament position.

Nonetheless, although contesting for the seat under the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) banner, the former IEBC chairperson was defeated in the elections by Eugene Wamalwa, who ran on a Party of National Unity (PNU) ticket.

Following the loss, Chebukati stepped down from ODM and sought the position of IEBC chairperson, for which he was nominated by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.