Chebukati had plans to
enroll for a PhD before falling ill. His wife, Mary, described him as a loving
and devoted spouse who cherished her deeply.
His three children—a daughter and two
sons—fondly remembered him as a hands-on father who, despite his demanding
career, always prioritised family.
Parker Randall Eastern Africa chief executive and brother to Mary Chebukati Coutts Otolo and the late IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati's daughter Rachel Chebukati leads family members during the memorial service at Citam Karen, Nairobi on March 5, 2025/LEAH MUKANGAI
Family and
friends of the former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC)
chairman Wafula Chebukati on Wednesday gathered at CITAM Church in Karen, to
mourn him.
The emotional service was marked by heartfelt tributes, with his son,
Emmanuel, reading the eulogy.
According to the family, Chebukati had plans to
enroll for a PhD before falling ill. His wife, Mary, described him as a loving
and devoted spouse who cherished her deeply.
His three children—a daughter and two
sons—fondly remembered him as a hands-on father who, despite his demanding
career, always prioritised family.
"He
was fully present in our lives. Every Christmas, he made it a tradition to take
us on holiday. Family was his anchor," they shared.
Chebukati,
who served as Kenya’s IEBC chairperson from 2017 to 2023, passed away on
February 20 at Nairobi Hospital.
The
63-year-old had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for nearly a
week, battling brain cancer before succumbing to cardiac arrest.
Chebukati will be buried on March 8
at his Kitale farm, with another funeral service planned for Friday in his
rural home.
In a press
briefing on February 24, family spokesperson Eric Nyongesa disclosed that
Chebukati was diagnosed with brain cancer in April 2023, just a few months
after leaving office.
The late IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati's children Rachel Chebukati,
Emmanuel Chebukati and Jonathan Chebukati during the memorial service at
Citam Karen, Nairobi on March 5, 2025/LEAH MUKANGAISisters and members of the clan of the late Wafula Chebukati during the memorial service at Citam Karen, Nairobi on March 5, 2025/LEAH MUKANGAIThe body of the late IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati during the memorial service at Citam Karen, Nairobi on March 5, 2025/LEAH MUKANGAIFormer Attorney General Githu Muigai speaking during the memorial service of the late IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati at Citam Karen, Nairobi on March 5, 2025/LEAH MUKANGAIThe late Wafula Chebukati's family spokesperson Eric Nyongesa reads a copy of the eulogy during the memorial service of the late IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati at Citam Karen, Nairobi on March 5, 2025/LEAH MUKANGAILaw Society of Kenya (LSK) president Faith Odhiambo
reads a copy of the eulogy during the memorial service of the late IEBC
chairperson Wafula Chebukati at Citam Karen, Nairobi on March 5,
2025/LEAH MUKANGAIPastor Steve Mutura and EACC chairperson David Oginde during the memorial service of the late IEBC
chairperson Wafula Chebukati at Citam Karen, Nairobi on March 5,
2025/LEAH MUKANGAIEmmanuel Chebukati reads the eulogy during the memorial service of the late IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati at Citam Karen, Nairobi on March 5, 2025/LEAH MUKANGAIThe late IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati's sons Emmanuel Chebukati and Jonathan Chebukati lead in carrying the casket during the memorial service at Citam Karen, Nairobi on March 5, 2025/LEAH MUKANGAIThe hearse carrying the late IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati's body during the memorial service at Citam Karen, Nairobi on March 5, 2025/LEAH MUKANGAI
