Ruto mourns Chebukati, says he served Kenya with integrity
President William Ruto has mourned the death of former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBEC) Chairperson Wafula Chebukati.
In his condolence message, President William Ruto termed Chebukati a principled and diligent leader who served the nation with integrity.
“I have received the news of the passing of former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Chairperson Wafula Chebukati with profound sorrow. Chebukati was a principled and diligent leader who served the nation with integrity. His death is a great loss to our country. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time,” Ruto stated.
Chebukati’s death
Chebukati passed on on Friday, February 21, 2025, at a Nairobi hospital as confirmed by family.
Chebukati, who oversaw Kenya’s 2017 and 2022 general elections, died under circumstances that are yet to be officially confirmed.
Prior to his death, he was admitted in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at a Nairobi hospital, but what he was ailing from remained private.
He had been undergoing treatment at home and was taken to the hospital after the situation got dire.
Chebukati, a seasoned lawyer, served as IEBC Chairman from January 2017 to January 2023, a period marked by high-profile court challenges, and complex political dynamics.
His leadership during the 2017 election drew both national and international attention, especially after the David Maraga-led Supreme Court nullified the presidential results, an unprecedented ruling in Africa.
The Supreme Court invalidated the results, dispatching the country back to the ballot on account of a myriad of transgressions attributed to the commission he chaired.
However, the National Super Alliance (NASA) side led by Raila Odinga boycotted the October 26, 2017 presidential repeat polls.
In 2022, Chebukati once again took center stage as he led the commission through a contentious election cycle.
His announcement of the election results was met with a mixed response, as political tensions ran high, and some commissioners expressed dissent.
