Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Wafula Chebukati is reported to be critically ill and has been receiving treatment at a Nairobi hospital for the past week.
The former IEBC chief’s illness has been kept private, and he is reportedly being treated in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.
Chebukati rose to the helm of IEBC in 2017, where he served for a full term of six years and retired in January 2023.
He oversaw the 2017 and 2022 General Elections, both of which were marred by controversy surrounding their outcomes, solidifying his role in the history of Kenyan elections.
Career
Chebukati is a lawyer and an advocate of the High Court of Kenya specializing in international commerce, trade and investment law, corporate law, governance and environmental law.
Prior to becoming the IEBC chairman, Chebukati held various roles in both the public and private sectors. He served as a legal advisor and consultant to numerous organizations and government bodies, building a wealth of experience in corporate governance, legal affairs, and election management.
He founded Cootow & Associates Advocates, where he served as managing director. The law firm provides a wide range of legal services, including maritime and shipping law, company secretarial services, aviation law, arbitration, alternative dispute resolution (ADR), as well as insurance, banking, and commercial law.
Before his appointment as IEBC chair, Chebukati had a brief political career. In 2007, he contested the Saboti parliamentary seat as a candidate for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), but was defeated by Eugene Wamalwa, who ran under the Party of National Unity (PNU) ticket.
In January 2017, he succeeded Issack Hassan as the chairman of the IEBC.
Chebukati faced major challenges during his tenure, especially in the controversial 2017 election, which was annulled by the Supreme Court due to irregularities. This sparked increased scrutiny and protests over the commission’s handling of the election.
In the 2022 election, Chebukati’s role was questioned once more due to irregularities, such as delayed results and discrepancies in data transmission. The delays in announcing results also fueled tension and mistrust among political parties and the public.
Despite these challenges, Chebukati ensured a peaceful election in 2022, unlike in 2017, when protests resulted in fatalities and many injuries.
Personal Life
Before his illness, Chebukati, who values his privacy, enjoyed playing golf and had served as both captain and chairman of Mombasa and Nyali Golf clubs. He was also a member of the Kenya Golfing Society.
Family
Chebukati is married to his wife, Mary, who serves as the chairperson of the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA). They have three children: two sons, Jonathan and Emmanuel, and a daughter, Rachel. While Jonathan leads a private life, Rachel has a successful career in law, and Emmanuel works in data analytics.
Legacy
Chebukati’s career combines legal knowledge with managing elections. His time as head of the IEBC has made him a key figure in Kenya’s democracy, though not without controversy. He is seen as an important player in Kenya’s election reforms, earning both respect and criticism for his role in shaping the country’s voting system.
