Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has sent his message of condolence to the family of former IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati.
In his message, Kindiki said that while Chebukati was always calm, he was also firm and always displayed fairness in discharging his duties.
He said that in his death, Kenya has lost a great son and a consummate lawyer.
“He was calm but firm. He displayed fairness, and he discharged his professional and public duties, oblivious of bias.
“In his death, Kenya has lost a great son, patriot, and consummate lawyer,” Kindiki said on Friday.
The Deputy President further stated that Chebukati will always be remembered for his courage and patience as he oversaw general elections in the country.
“Wafula Chebukati will be remembered for his courageous, stoic, and emotionless posture while he steered Kenya’s general elections as the Chairman of the IEBC.”
Chebukati died on Thursday, February 20, at 11pm.
The former IEBC boss had been admitted to a hospital in Nairobi where he had been undergoing treatment for nearly a week. He was in the Intensive Care Unit.
Chebukati served as IEBC chair for a full term of six years and retired in January 2023.
During his tenure, he managed to oversee three Kenyan elections: the 2017 Kenyan general election, the October 2017 Kenyan repeat presidential election and the 2022 Kenyan general election.
Chebukati served diligently at the commission becoming the first holder of the office to serve for a full term, unlike previous holders.
He was a lawyer with 37 years of experience and ran his sole proprietorship law firm for 20 years.
He practiced corporate law, commercial law, corporate governance and dispute resolution.
Chebukati was married to Mary Chebukati, and had children, though he kept his family life private.
