Former prime minister Raila Odinga has condoled the family of Wafula Chebukati following the former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman.
Chebukati breathed his last at a Nairobi hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on Thursday night, February 20.
The cause of death or illness he suffered was not disclosed immediately.
Raila shared in the grief of the family, empathising with them for having lost an important component.
The ODM boss was saddened that the family had lost a patriarch and breadwinner, observing how difficult times are for them.
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"To the family of Mr. Wafula Chebukati who passed on earlier today, I pass my condolences and sympathy for the loss of a son, father, husband and breadwinner. Times like these are never easy and no amount of words and assurances of solidarity can ever fill the void left, but that is all we can offer. My thoughts are with the entire family, the widow Mama Mary, and sons Jonathan and Emmanuel at this difficult time," he said in a statement.
Chebukati served as the IEBC chairperson for a full term of six years between January 2017 and January 17, 2023, and oversaw the 2017 and 2022 general elections.
In his farewell message, while exiting IEBC, Chebukati said he had no regrets during his tenure at the commission.
"I was appointed the chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission on January 18, 2017, for a constitutional term of six years. Yesterday I completed my term. It has been an honour.
“I exit contented that we gave it our best to this commission. We chartered and weathered storms that threatened the existence of the commission,” he said.
Before joining IEBC, Chebukati served as a lawyer for 37 years and ran a law firm Cootow & Associates Advocates until 2017 when he resigned.
He was also a politician and vied for the Saboti parliamentary seat on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party ticket during the 2007 general election but lost to DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa.
On December 12, 2022, during the Jamuhuri Day celebrations, President William Ruto awarded Chebukati with the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (EGH).
Chebukati is married to the Chairperson of the Commission on Revenue Allocation Mary Chebukati, and together they have three children Jonathan, Rachel, and Emmanuel Chebukati.
