Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Wafula Chebukati has died.
Chebukati reportedly died at a Nairobi hospital on the night of Thursday, February 20, 2025, following what the family described as a long illness.
His death comes after several weeks of social media reports surrounding his health.
Earlier this week, reports emerged indicating that he was in ICU, with unverified claims suggesting doctors had said most of his body organs had stopped working.
Chebukati’s death comes barely two years after exiting Kenya’s electoral body after serving for a six-year term which ended on January 17, 2023.
He presided over two Kenyan elections – in 2017 where he declared now-retired President Uhuru Kenyatta winner and in the 2022 poll President William Ruto won.
On both occasions, veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga finished second – but claimed he was rigged.
While the 2017 polls were nullified by the Supreme Court before Uhuru won the repeat poll which Raila boycotted, the 2022 results were given a greenlight by the apex court.
How William Ruto mourned Wafula Chebukati
With the family confirming the death, President William Ruto joined other Kenyans and political leaders in mourning the former IEBC boss.
“I have received the news of the passing of former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Chairperson Wafula Chebukati with profound sorrow,” Ruto wrote on his social media pages.
“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,” he added.
