Former IEBC Chair Wafula Chebukati Passes Away at 63

• Feb 21, 2025

Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Wafula Chebukati has passed away at the age of 63.

Chebukati, who served as the head of Kenya’s electoral commission from 2017 to 2022, was best known for overseeing the country’s general elections, including the highly contested 2022 presidential polls. His tenure at the IEBC was marked by both praise and controversy, particularly regarding election management and results transmission.

Leadership at IEBC

Chebukati was appointed as the chairperson of the IEBC in January 2017, just months before the general elections. Under his leadership, the commission faced significant challenges, including a Supreme Court ruling that nullified the August 2017 presidential election due to irregularities. A fresh election was held in October 2017, which was boycotted by opposition leader Raila Odinga, further deepening Kenya’s political divisions.

During the 2022 general elections, Chebukati played a central role in declaring William Ruto as the winner of the presidential race. His announcement came amid internal IEBC disagreements, with some commissioners rejecting the final results. Despite the controversy, the Supreme Court upheld Ruto’s victory, affirming Chebukati’s role in the process.

Legacy and Public Perception

Throughout his career, Chebukati was seen as a firm and independent electoral official, although critics accused him of bias in handling electoral disputes. His final months in office were marked by calls for electoral reforms and debates on the credibility of Kenya’s voting system.

Beyond his work at the IEBC, Chebukati was a respected lawyer with vast experience in governance and public administration. His passing marks the end of a significant chapter in Kenya’s electoral history.

Details regarding the cause of death and funeral arrangements are yet to be made public.