Wafula Chebukati
- Full Name: Wafula Chebukati
- Nationality: Kenyan
- Date of Birth: December 22, 1961
- Place of Birth: Bungoma County
Wafula Chebukati is a Kenyan lawyer and the former Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in Kenya.
Professional Career
Wafula Chebukati is a lawyer by profession and has had a distinguished career in the legal field.
He has served in various capacities, including as a legal advisor and advocate for several institutions and organizations.
Role as IEBC Chairperson
Wafula Chebukati was appointed to the position on a six-year tenure in January by the retired president of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta. Following his appointment in 2017,he succeeded Ahmed Issack Hassan.
He retired on 17 January 2023, following the end of his term. He led Kenya through two heavily contested and controversial general elections; August 2017 and 2022 General Elections.
His tenure at Kenya's electoral body was also one marred with resignation of IEBC commissioners, including his deputies, who faulted his leadership.[
Challenges and Reforms
During his tenure as IEBC Chairperson, Wafula Chebukati has faced various challenges, including managing contentious elections and addressing disputes.
He had driven reforms within the commission to enhance its efficiency, transparency, and credibility.
Chebukati has also played a key role in implementing technology in the electoral process, such as biometric voter registration and electronic results transmission.
As the Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, Wafula Chebukati played a crucial role in ensuring smooth and transparent elections in Kenya. His leadership and efforts towards electoral reforms are aimed at building public trust and confidence in the electoral process.
Personal Life and Death
Wafula Chebukati was born in Bungoma county on 22 December 1961. He was an alumnus of St Peters School Mumias, Bokoli Secondary school and Lenana High School.
Chebukati held a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Nairobi, and Master of Business Administration from the JKUAT. He was a member of LSK, Institute of Certified Secretaries, and ICJ.
He was married to Mary Wanyonyi, who was in 2023 nominated by President Ruto as the chairperson of the Commission of Revenue Allocation.
Chebukati became critically ill in 2024, and died in Nairobi on 21 February 2025, at the age of 63.
