WAFULA CHEBUKATI: Family Asks The Public For Privacy During Mourning Period
Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Wafula Chebukati’s family has urged Kenyans to respect their privacy and enable them to grieve their loved ones peacefully.
Family spokesperson Eric Wafula told the press on Friday morning that the family would shortly provide a detailed statement about Chebukati’s death.
“We are all saddened by the loss, and as the family comes to terms with it, we are asking everybody, including the press, to please allow the family privacy as they mourn,” said the spokesperson.
“We hope to issue a formal statement by tomorrow after a meeting this evening, and by then, we will send out an official communication.”
According to the family spokesperson, Chebukati’s family, including the deceased’s father, arrived in Nairobi last night, just seconds after learning of his son’s death.
Eric Nyongesa, a member of Wafula Chebukati's family: The family is yet to make a decision on whether they will do a postmortem. Once the family has also had time to talk to the doctors, then we will be able to explain to the Nation what may have caused his death. pic.twitter.com/GXxlX6kzjx
— KTN News (@KTNNewsKE) February 21, 2025
While urging Kenyans to avoid speculating, the family’s representative stated that the dead died at a Nairobi hospital on Thursday, February 20.
This occurred just minutes before 11 p.m., following a lengthy fight with a disease that the family has yet to reveal.
The family stated that a decision on whether to conduct a post-mortem on the deceased’s body had yet to be taken and will be discussed at tomorrow’s meeting.
The family stated that the decision to perform a post-mortem on Chebukati’s body will also be based on the comments provided by doctors during tomorrow’s consultative meeting.
“All I wish to say is that he had been unwell and was in hospital. He passed away at around 11 pm last night. However, the family has yet to decide on conducting a post-mortem,” Wafula stated.
“Once the family has decided to proceed with a post-mortem and after speaking to the doctors, we will be able to explain to the nation what could have caused his death,” he added.
“I suppose that will be part of the communication we will be giving out. Please do not speculate.”
The family’s press event came just two hours after news surfaced that Chebukati had died while getting treatment at a Nairobi hospital.
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Meanwhile, the body of the former IEBC chairperson has been taken to Lee Funeral Home, where a decision on whether to conduct a post-mortem will be made.
On the same note, other politicians across the country have used social media to mourn Chebukati, including President William Ruto, who described the former IEBC commissioner as a principled and diligent leader who served the country 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,” Ruto said.
“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.”
WAFULA CHEBUKATI: Family Asks The Public For Privacy During Mourning Period
