President William Ruto has led the nation in mourning the passing away of the immediate former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Chairperson Wafula Chebukati.
Sharing his condolence message with the nation, President William Ruto has described Chebukati as a diligent leader who served Kenya with integrity.
“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,” the president has mourned.
Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry Aden Duale has condoled Chebukati as a courageous man who was committed to the democratic process.
“His journey was marked by courage, firmness, fidelity to the law steadfastness, and a commitment to the democratic process. We grieve the loss of a leader who stood firm in the face of history,” Duale stated as he wished for strength in this difficult hour to his loved ones.
However, Kenyans on Social media have shared different opinions on social media following the passing away of the former electoral body chairman saying they’ll never forget him for the controversy that surrounded the announcement of the 2022 General election results.
“We will not forget this day…” City advocate Ndegwa Njiru wrote as he posted a video of the Chaos that was experienced at Bomas before the announcement of the 2022 presidential election results.
“Rest in Peace Wafula Chebukati. You are in the afterlife and now we leave it to God to pass judgment on you,” Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly Robert Alai stated.
“Most of the IEBC Chairman who preside over election rigging often die some crazy deaths… Kivuitu died from throat cancer, he had wasted away completely… Wafula Chebukati has died not knowing who he was, all memory had gone,” Social media user Juma G wrote on his X handle.
Wafula Chebukati died on the night of Thursday, February 20, while receiving treatment at a Nairobi hospital, where he had been admitted for nearly a week.
He was in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) before his condition worsened.
Last weekend, rumors circulated on social media suggesting that doctors had declared most of his organs clinically dead.
A popular blogger claimed that doctors had requested his family to turn off his life support, but they declined.
His son, Emmanuel Chebukati, confirmed that his father had shown signs of stabilization before his condition deteriorated in the evening, leading to his passing.
Chebukati served as IEBC chairperson for six years, from January 2017 to January 17, 2023, overseeing the 2017 and 2022 general elections. In his farewell message upon leaving office, he stated that he had no regrets about his tenure at the commission.