REVEALED: Family Reports Chebukati’s Final Moments
Former IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati, who died on Thursday night, did not enjoy his retirement since he became unwell shortly after leaving the volatile corner office at Anniversary Towers.
Chebukati, along with his two colleagues, departed in January 2023 after supervising a contentious election in which four commissioners — the majority — challenged the presidential results.
However, Chebukati became ill shortly thereafter and was reportedly transported out of the country for a comprehensive medical examination.
The diagnosis is still unknown. According to accounts, he died in Nairobi Hospital after being diagnosed with brain cancer.
According to reports, the veteran lawyer has been suffering from diabetes and hypertension. Chebukati was 64 when he passed away.
He had been receiving home care in Nairobi prior to being sent to Nairobi Hospital, where he died.
On Friday, his family stated that they had yet to decide whether to conduct a postmortem.
Eric Nyongesa, family spokesperson, told the press that the family will have to make a choice on it.
Nyongesa, who declined to disclose any information about the cause of his death, said the family will make a decision later that day.
“For now, we have not made a decision on whether to do a postmortem. Let us not speculate. Once the family has had time to talk to doctors we shall issue a proper communication,” he said.
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
He also encouraged Kenyans to respect the family’s privacy and avoid social media speculation.
At the Lee Funeral Home, family members included Chebukati’s father, widow Mary Wanyonyi, and his two kids, Jonathan and Emmanuel.
President William Ruto remembered him as a conscientious leader who served the country with honor.
“I have received the news of the passing of former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission chairperson Wafula Chebukati with profound sorrow,” he stated.
“Chebukati was a principled and diligent leader who served the nation with integrity. His death is a great loss to our country.”
I have received the news of the passing of former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Chairperson Wafula Chebukati with profound sorrow.
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) February 21, 2025
Chebukati was a principled and diligent leader who served the nation with integrity.
His death is a great loss to our country.… pic.twitter.com/u6wCIK6nNj
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki regarded him as a peaceful yet forceful leader. He stated in his death that Kenya had lost a fine son and a brilliant lawyer.
“He was calm but firm. He displayed fairness and he discharged his professional and public duties oblivious of bias,” he stated.
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Raila Odinga, the opposition chairman who said Chebukati manipulated the election in favour of Ruto, did not issue any statement.
Raila stated that foreign mercenaries accessed the IEBC electoral server and changed the results in Ruto’s favor.
The Supreme Court rejected the argument. During his six-year tenure, Chebukati was no stranger to controversy.
He handled three of Kenya’s most contentious presidential elections, all of which were fiercely contested in court.
REVEALED: Family Reports Chebukati’s Final Moments
