No political regalia, cheering or jeering at Wafula Chebukati’s funeral: State issues rules for Saturday burial
Outgoing IEBC Chair Wafula Chebukati delivering his speech at Safari Park Hotel during the launch of the post-elections evaluation report on January 16, 2023.
Mourners who plan to attend the burial ceremony of former electoral commission chairman Wafula Chebukati should avoid wearing political party regalia as it will not be a political event, Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Gideon Oyagi has warned, amid reports that some groups were planning to cause chaos and politicize the Saturday event.
The County Commissioner said the necessary security arrangements have been put in place to ensure the late Chebukati's burial is peaceful and organized, assuring mourners who will attend of tight security.
"I want to tell all leaders to talk to their supporters because this is not a political event but a burial. We will not allow any group of people to cheer their leaders during the event," he said on Thursday, March 6 at the press briefing on the burial plans of the former IEBC boss soon after his body arrived in Trans Nzoia County.
The former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman will be buried at his Sabata home in Kiminini, Trans Nzoia County on Saturday, March 8.
His body arrived in Trans Nzoia from Nairobi on Thursday afternoon, aboard a local carrier that landed at Kitale Airstrip, accompanied by family members and relatives.
The cortege was received by his Trans Nzoia family, relatives, and leaders led by Kwanza Member of Parliament Ferdinand Wanyonyi before it proceeded to his father's home in the Kambi Nairobi area in Kapomboi Ward, Trans Nzoia County for an overnight stay.
On Friday, it will be moved to his Sabata home in Kiminini Constituency for an overnight stay, ahead of his burial on Saturday.
Upon its arrival in the county, the County Commissioner convened a press conference where he said Mr Chebukati’s burial will not be a political event and no one will be allowed to don political party's regalia.
He said that the government has deployed enough security officers to provide security for the day.
He called on residents to come out in large numbers and welcome national leaders who will come to mourn with family and give the late Chebukati his last respect.
"Let us all of us exercise maximum restraint from any form of incitement either through social media or any other means," said Mr Oyagi who was flanked by the Trans Nzoia County Security Committee.
On Monday, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya claimed that some political leaders in the region were mobilising people to cause chaos and disruption during the late Chebukati's final send-off.
He urged the county's security apparatus to clamp down on any political mobilisation for Saturday's event, which is expected to be graced by President William Ruto.
Earlier, after receiving Mr Chebukati's body at Kitale airstrip, Kwanza MP Ferdinand Wanyonyi called for peace and respect during his final farewell amid fears of heated political exchanges between politicians.
The MP warned anyone planning to cause chaos or disturbances for political mileage that there would be no room for confusion and disrespect during the former IEBC chairman's final send-off.
"He was a person who worked tirelessly for Kenya and his time to rest has come. I urge everyone who comes to this funeral to show respect and sympathy for the family," he appealed.
Last weekend, Mr Chebukati's family, led by his parents and siblings, pleaded with Kenyans to stop the 'hate speech and ridicule' of their loved ones and allow them to give him a befitting send-off.
The family has deplored what it described as a series of character assassinations of their loved ones 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.
His family, led by his father John Wafula Chebukati, mother Joina Nekesa and brother Daniel Chebukati, lamented that the comments made by Kenyans on social media about their kin following his death had tarnished his image and record in public service, noting that they had been badly affected by what they described as defamation of his character on social media platforms.
"People say so many things about our son. It's only after you die that you know your friends and your enemies. It is very painful for us as a family to have lost our son," his father said as the family asked Kenyans to allow them to mourn their loved ones and have a peaceful burial on Saturday.
“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 added.
His widow, Mary Chebukati, sons, and relatives thanked the government for the support towards his burial and called for peace to bury their kin.
“My husband led a quiet, respectful life, and we will be happy if we bury him in peace and respect. It has not been easy as a family, but we thank the government for the support that has made us strong through this period,’ said the widow.
Mr Chebukati, who completed his six-year tenure at the helm of the IEBC on January 17, 2023, passed away at the age of 63.
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