Wafula Chebukati dies at 63: Life and times in photos
Wafula Wanyonyi Chebukati is seen in this photo circa 1999 when he worked as a lawyer in Mombasa.
By Sila Kiplagat
Wafula Wanyonyi Chebukati, who oversaw two contentious polls: the annulled 2017 presidential election and the divisive 2022 polls that split the electoral commission, has died at 63.
He completed his six-year tenure as Chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on January 17, 2023, after taking office in January 2017 following the removal of Ahmed Issack Hassan and other commissioners.
Chebukati assumed leadership during a politically tense period, with opposition leader Raila Odinga challenging President Uhuru Kenyatta's re-election bid. Just months before the election, Chebukati and his team faced the challenge of conducting one of Kenya’s most competitive elections. However, his first General Election was marred by the Supreme Court's landmark ruling that overturned the 2017 presidential election results.
IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati leads presidential agents and little girl Hope Wambui Ochieng in lighting the peace torch at Bomas of Kenya on August 8, 2022, on the eve of General Elections.
Deputy President William Ruto and President Uhuru Kenyatta receive their certificates from IEBC chair Wafula Chebukati at Bomas of Kenya on October 30, 2017.
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.
IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati (left) shares a light moment with Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) Chairman William Cheptumo during the launch of the Post-Election Evaluation Report for the 2017 General and Fresh Presidential Elections at the KICC Tsavo ballroom on February 12, 2019.
From left to right: IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba, Commissioner Yakub Guliye, chairman Wafula Chebukati and his vice chair Consolata Nkatha Bucha Maina where they appeared before Select committees of both the Senate and the National Assembly on the elections law (amendments) proceedings at County Hall Nairobi, October 05, 2017.
IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati address media during a briefing at Bomas of Kenya on August 10, 2022.
IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati, Commissioners Prof Yusuf Guliye (left) and Molu Boya (right) when they appeared before the Constitutional Implementation and Oversight Committee on June 12, 2018, over the constituency boundaries review.
IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati leads the commission in receiving the first batch of ballot papers at JKIA on July 7, 2022.
IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati receives the first batch of ballot papers at JKIA on July 7, 2022.
IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati meets candidates contesting various seats on August 22, 2022, at Bomas of Kenya.
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Chairman Wafula Chebukati when they were meeting some of the candidates for various seats over pending elections in the country on August 22, 2022 in Bomas.
IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati and his Vice Chirperson Juliana Cherera during the launch of National Elections Media Centre and National Elections Call Centre at Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi on July 31,2022.
From left IEBC Commissioner Paul Kurgat, Deputy National Returning Officer Consolata Maina and the chairman Wafula Chebukati before announcing that the commission is ready to conduct election tommorow at the Bomas of Kenya. October 25, 2017.
IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati joins women in dancing during a multi stakehoders meeting that was held jointly with women mediators Network of Kenya at Bomas of Kenya on August 2,2022.
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Chairperson Wafula Chebukati (right) and Commissioner Boya Molu at the Bomas of Kenya Nairobi on Thursday, July 7, 2022.
President Kenyatta receives certificate from the IEBC chair Wafula Chebukati at the Bomas of Kenya Nairobi 30,10,2017.
IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati [L] hands Deputy President William Ruto and his running mate Rigathi Gachagua with their IEBC certificate at Bomas of Kenya on June 4, 2022 after the electoral commission cleared them to run for the presidency in the August polls. Photo | Jeff Angote | Nation
Deputy president William Ruto (left) and Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Wafula chebukati arrive at the Bomas of Kenya for the meeting between NASA and Jubilee.
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Wafula Chebukati (left) presents a certificate to Presidential candidate Prof George Luchiri Wajackoyah (2nd left) and his running mate Justina Wambui (2nd right) at the Bomas of Kenya Nairobi on Thursday, June 2, 2022 during the Presidential registration process.
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Wafula Chebukati at the Bomas of Kenya Nairobi on Thursday, June 2, 2022 during the Presidential registration process.
From left: National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) vice chair Consolata Nkatha Bucha Maina, Senate Speaker Ekwe Ethuro and IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati at parliament buildings on January 26, 2017. The two speakers called on the commission to ensure the next general election is a success.
(from left) National Super Alliance (NASA) Co-Principal Kalonzo Musyoka, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Wafula Chebukati, NASA Presidential Candidate Raila Odinga and IEBC Vice Chair Consolata Nkatha arrive at the Bomas of Kenya on 3rd October 3, 2017 for the meeting between NASA and Jubilee ahead of the fresh presidential elections.
Executive Office of the President, Principal Administrative Secretary Kennedy Kihara (left) presents a petition to Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Wafula Chebukati on the application by the residents of Taita Taveta County to nullify their county government on October 30, 2019 at the commission offices.
President William Ruto, receives an exit report from the outgoing IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati during a consultative meeting with members of the Constitutional Commissions and Independent Offices at State House, Nairobi.
IEBC Chair Wafula Chebukati(left),Attorney General Justin Muturi(centre) and Council of Governors Chairperson Anne Waiguru posing for a photograph while holding booklets containing the Post elections evaluation report for the August 9th 2022 General elections at Safari park hotel on January 16,2022 during its launch.
From left: Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) CEO Ezra Chiloba , Attorney-General Githu Muigai and newly elected IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati during the swearing-in of IEBC commissioners and chairperson function held at the Supreme Courts on January 20, 2017.
