Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka has revealed how the late former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati fined him Ksh1 million on two separate occasions during the 2017 General Elections.
Speaking at Chebukati’s funeral service on Saturday, March 8, 2025, Lusaka recounted his experiences with Chebukati, stating that he was penalized after his supporters clashed with those of his opponent during a heated gubernatorial contest in Bungoma.
“I encountered him twice in 2017 when I was contesting for the Bungoma gubernatorial seat. The competition was stiff, and at some point, my supporters and those of my opponent engaged in fights. I was summoned before him,” Lusaka narrated.
The governor revealed that when summoned, he attempted to leverage their shared roots from the same region, but Chebukati remained firm and did not show any favouritism.
“When I appeared before him, I tried to remind him that ‘I come from your home area, perhaps you could help me,’ but he replied, ‘You have committed a crime, and I’m fining you Ksh1 million, which you must pay within 48 hours.’” he stated.
According to the governor, both he and his opponent at the time, Wycliffe Wangamati, each paid the Ksh1 million fine as directed.
However, that wasn’t the end of Lusaka’s troubles.
He explained that violence erupted again during his campaigns, leading to another summon before the electoral commission.
“We went back to the campaign, and another fight broke out. I was summoned again, and they played a clip of me saying, ‘Did you think you would beat us? We didn’t leave our hands at home; We will fight back,’” he admitted.
This statement resulted in additional penalties from Chebukati.
“I was fined another Ksh1 million, and he banned me from campaigning for two weeks. So I went back home and just stayed there for two weeks, unable to conduct my campaign,” the governor said.
Despite the harsh penalties, Lusaka praised Chebukati for his impartiality, stating that he treated all politicians fairly, regardless of their status.
“That is Chebukati we are talking about. If you did the right thing, he would give you your due, and if you did the wrong thing, he would also give you your due,” Lusaka said.
Chebukati laid to rest
Chebukati was laid to rest in Sabata village, Kiminini Constituency, on Saturday, March 8, 2025. His funeral was attended by friends, family, and a number of leaders from various parts of the country.
Chebukati died while receiving treatment at a Nairobi hospital on Thursday, February 20, 2025.
During the ceremony, his family eulogized him as a man of integrity, reflecting on their deep connection.
President William Ruto also honoured the former electoral body chief, describing him as a man of integrity who set high standards in electoral management and democracy in Kenya. He announced plans to rename a nearby school and establish an ICT institution in Chebukati’s memory.
Acknowledging Chebukati’s contributions to the nation’s electoral process, Ruto noted that his resilience in the face of intimidation earned him a respected place in Kenya’s electoral history.
“Wafula Chebukati was intelligent, courageous, and a man of integrity. He could not be threatened or blackmailed. He could not be compromised or bribed. He discharged his duty with integrity. When the history of this country is written, he will not be a footnote or a chapter; he will be a whole book. He went through great intimidation. He announced the elections under great difficulty,” Ruto stated.
