Wafula Chebukati’s Death Reopens Old Wounds and Sparks Mixed Tributes

The death of Wafula Chebukati, former Chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), on Thursday, February 20, 2025, has elicited a flood of reactions across Kenya, from glowing tributes to scathing critiques.

Confirmed by his family, Chebukati passed away at a Nairobi hospital after a prolonged battle with illness, leaving behind a legacy as polarizing as the elections he oversaw.

While President William Ruto hailed him as a “principled and diligent leader who served the nation with integrity,” others, including former MP and lawyer Gitobu Imanyara, painted a starkly different picture—one of a man haunted by the controversies of his tenure, dying “a sick and lonely man” unable to escape the shadow of his decisions.

A Nation Mourns—or Reflects?

Chebukati’s death at age 63 has reignited debates about his role in Kenya’s electoral history, particularly his controversial declaration of William Ruto as president-elect in August 2022.

President Ruto, in a heartfelt condolence message shared on social media on Friday morning, described Chebukati as a patriot whose steadfastness preserved Kenya’s democracy.

“His death is a great loss to our country,” Ruto wrote, recalling how Chebukati resisted “blackmail and bribery” during the 2022 polls—a stance that earned him the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (EGH) award later that year.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen echoed this sentiment, calling Chebukati “a true patriot and a man of immense integrity” who “made history by steering the nation across two General Elections.”

Yet, not all voices sang his praises. Gitobu Imanyara, a seasoned lawyer and former parliamentarian, offered a blistering assessment that cut through the eulogies like a knife.

’Never found peace’

In a statement posted on X on February 21, Imanyara claimed Chebukati “never found peace” after declaring Ruto president “despite four of his fellow commissioners (the majority) publicly disagreeing with him.”

He accused Chebukati of bowing to pressure from faith-based organizations, particularly Christian churches, and Western diplomatic missions, rather than upholding the constitutional fidelity demanded of his office. “Our democratic experiment with free and fair elections suffered a mortal hit,” Imanyara wrote, suggesting Chebukati’s legacy offers a “painful lesson” for public servants. He concluded with a bittersweet wish: “May his soul finally find peace and rest from a cruelly unforgiving public.”

A Tenure Defined by Turmoil

Chebukati’s six-year stint as IEBC chairman, from January 2017 to January 2023, was anything but smooth. Appointed by then-President Uhuru Kenyatta to replace Ahmed Issack Hassan, he stepped into a role that placed him at the heart of Kenya’s fiercely contested political arena.

His first major test came with the 2017 General Election, where he oversaw a presidential vote that was annulled by the Supreme Court—an unprecedented move in Africa.

The court, led by Chief Justice David Maraga, cited “widespread irregularities” and ordered a rerun within 60 days. The decision thrust Chebukati into the global spotlight, but it also exposed cracks within the IEBC.

The repeat election in October 2017 only deepened the chaos. Commissioner Roselyn Akombe resigned a week before the poll, fleeing to the United States and alleging political interference had crippled the commission’s ability to deliver a credible vote.

Chebukati himself admitted doubts about the election’s integrity but pressed ahead, declaring Uhuru Kenyatta the winner after opposition leader Raila Odinga boycotted the process.

Three more commissioners—Margaret Mwachanya, Connie Maina, and Paul Kurgat—quit in April 2018, accusing Chebukati of poor leadership and succumbing to external pressures. Critics argued his refusal to step down amid such turmoil reflected either stubbornness or complicity.

The 2022 election proved even more divisive. On August 15, 2022, as vote tallying concluded at the Bomas of Kenya, four newly appointed commissioners—Juliana Cherera, Francis Wanderi, Irene Masit, and Justus Nyang’aya—staged a dramatic walkout, disowning the results over alleged “opaqueness” in the final verification phase. Undeterred, Chebukati, backed by commissioners Boya Molu and Abdi Guliye, declared Ruto the victor with 50.49% of the vote.

The “Cherera Four” became a symbol of dissent, while Chebukati faced accusations of rigging and premature announcement. The Supreme Court later upheld Ruto’s win, dismissing opposition challenges, but the episode left Kenya bitterly split and Chebukati’s reputation in tatters among critics.

Other voices 

Beyond Ruto and Imanyara, other leaders weighed in with tributes that underscored Chebukati’s complex legacy.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula lauded him as a “steadfast defender of the rule of law,” emphasizing his “remarkable courage” in navigating electoral storms.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who appointed Chebukati, acknowledged his resilience, saying, “He played a pivotal role in shaping our nation’s electoral landscape, often navigating intricate challenges.”

CS Justin Muturi called his service “central to ensuring the democratic will of the people,” though he avoided delving into the controversies.

Other Kenyans, however, were less restrained. On X, musician Octopizzo struck a balanced tone: “Despite facing criticism, he remained steadfast in his commitment to electoral reforms. His legacy will be remembered.”

But others were unforgiving. @Soulmender37 posted, “Wafula Chebukati will be remembered as both a defender of democracy and a symbol of Kenya’s electoral failures… his tenure was marred by rigging claims, a nullified election in 2017, and a deeply divided IEBC.”

Another user, @KenyansUnite, remarked, “He declared Ruto president and left the country to pick up the pieces. No tears here.”

Some even linked his illness to his past. “The stress of those elections ate him up,” speculated @NairobiVoice, while @TruthSeekerKE wrote, “Karma doesn’t miss an address. Two botched elections, and now this.”

Such sentiments, harsh as they may be, reflect the raw emotions Chebukati’s tenure still evokes.

The Man Behind the Title

Born in Bokoli village, Bungoma County, Chebukati was a lawyer with over 37 years of experience, holding a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Nairobi and an MBA from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

Before IEBC, he ran Cootow & Associates Advocates and even dabbled in politics, finishing second in the 2007 Saboti Constituency race on an ODM ticket. An avid golfer, he served as captain of Mombasa and Nyali Golf Clubs—a quieter side of a man thrust into a relentless public storm.

Married to Mary Wanyonyi—now Chairperson of the Commission on Revenue Allocation—Chebukati leaves behind three children: Rachel, Jonathan, and Emmanuel. His family remained tight-lipped about his final days, confirming only that he succumbed to a long illness, reportedly brain cancer, after weeks in intensive care.

A Legacy in Question

Chebukati’s death closes a chapter, but the book on his legacy remains wide open.

To his supporters, he was a bulwark against electoral sabotage, a man who stood firm when others wavered.

To his detractors, he was a symbol of democratic erosion, a leader who prioritized outcomes over process.

As Kenya mourns—or reckons—with his passing, the echoes of 2017 and 2022 linger, a reminder of how one decision can ripple through a nation’s history.

For now, the tributes and critiques flow side by side, much like the divided commissions he once led.

Whether Wafula Chebukati finds the peace in death that eluded him in life, as Imanyara hopes, only time—and perhaps a less “cruelly unforgiving public”—will tell.