The family of former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wellington Wafula Chebukati has pleaded with Kenyans to allow them to give him a befitting send-off.
The family has regretted what it described as character assassination of their kin by a section of Kenyans, especially on social media platforms, following his death on February 21, saying he was an innocent man who had a great personality and high integrity.
Mr Chebukati, who completed his six-year term at the helm of the IEBC on 17 January 2023, died at the age of 63.
But his family is now lamenting that comments by Kenyans on social media about their relatives have tarnished his image and record in public service.
According to the family, Chebukati's health problems began shortly after he completed overseeing the 2022 General Elections in November when he complained of pain in one of his eyes.
Chebukati's brother Daniel Chebukati at their home in Kapomboi, Kwanza constituency, on February 26, 20265
Photo credit: Evans Jaola | Nation Media Group
“He started complaining of pain in the eye before it developed into migraines, and later he travelled to Germany twice for surgery. Since then, his health never improved, and he was in and out of hospital until his death late last month,” his brother Daniel said at a family gathering.
Speaking at their home in Kapomboi, Kwanza constituency, family members said they are heavily affected by what they described as defamation of their late son's character in social media.
Led by his father, John Wafula Chebukati, his mother, Joina Nekesa, and his brother, Daniel Chebukati, the family has called on Kenyans to allow them to mourn their kin and have a peaceful burial next weekend.
“It is painful to us as a family that we have lost him, and I wish to tell Kenyans that the person they are crucifying is innocent, and they are crucifying him for the sins he never committed. This is a person we know well and was as clean as snow,” his brother said.
The family is preparing to receive his body next Friday at their home in Kapomboi for prayers before his interment at his rural home in Sabata, Kiminini constituency, on March 8.
Former IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati's parents John Wafula Chebukati and Joina Nekesa at their home in Kapomboi,Kwanza constituency in Trans Nzoia County on February 26, 2025.
Photo credit: Evans Jaola | Nation Media Group
Family members noted that despite his untimely death, they have great memories of their kin as a humble person who did not like shoddy deals in his career.
“People are saying so many things about our son. It's only after you die that you know your enemies and friends. It has been very painful to us as a family to lose our son,” said his father.
“We have accepted the loss and are all preparing to pay him our last respects as we lay him to rest,” he said.
His brother, Daniel said that despite holding a high office in government, the late Chebukati did not use his influence to award positions or favours to his family or relatives and that he was a fair referee as the electoral body boss.
“Our brother taught us to be people of very high integrity and respectful to the law and authority. He taught us never to use shortcuts to get anything if it's against the law,” he said.
