We’ve lost a great leader, IEBC says on Chebukati’s death

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has said that it has lost a great leader in former chairman Wafula Chebukati.

In a statement after his death, CEO Marjan Hussein said the IEBC family has lost a man who was full of humour and listened to detail on important issues that affected delivery in the Commission.

“The Commission is greatly saddened and mourns the untimely demise of its former Chairman Mr. Wafula Wanyonyi Chebukati, EGH which occurred on Friday, 21st February, 2025 at a Nairobi hospital.

“The IEBC family has lost a great leader who was full of humour, listened keenly on important issues affecting the delivery of the Commission mandate and a man measured in words, who truly understood the sensitivity of his office,” he said.

The CEO said Chebukati served diligently at the commission becoming the first holder of the office to serve for a full term, unlike previous holders.

“The Commission recounts with the rest of Kenyans, the good memories and acknowledge the impact that the Chairman had as he diligently served the office. He was appointed and assumed office on January 17,  2017, a position he held until January, 17, 2023, becoming the first Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to successfully complete the 6-year constitutional term.”

Marjan said the IEBC stands with the family as they go through this difficult time.

“At this sad time, the IEBC fraternity holds the family close in its thoughts and is deeply saddened by the profound loss. May the Almighty God give the family strength to overcome the loss of the patriarch.”

Chebukati died on Thursday, February 20, at 11 pm.

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.