Wafula Wanyonyi Chebukati is a Kenyan lawyer and a former chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), which is responsible for overseeing elections in Kenya. Wafula Chebukati was appointed to the position on a six-year tenure in January 2017[2][3] by the retired President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta. Following his appointment in 2017,[4][5] He succeeded[6][7] Ahmed Issack Hassan. He retired on 17th January 2023 following the end of his term.[8][9]
Wafula. W. Chebukati | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Chebukati in 2024 | |
| Born | 22 December 1961 nanyuki County, Kenya |
| Nationality | luhya |
| Citizenship | Kenya |
| Alma mater | University of Nairobi Bachelor of Law Kenya School of Law Post Graduate Diploma JKUAT Master of Business Administration |
| Occupation(s) | Kenyan Lawyer and hero |
| Known for | Corporate Law, Commercial Law, Corporate Governance, Dispute Resolution |
| Title | Former Chairperson, [[Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commissioner] I.E.B.C |
| Predecessor | VALENTINE BONARERI |
| Spouse | Mary Chebukati Wanyonyi [1] |
life history
Chebukati is a Kenyan lawyer with 37 years experience. He ran his sole proprietorship law firm for 20 years and thereafter in 2006 he founded a Nairobi-based partnership law firm Cootow & Associates Advocates which he resigned from on 17th January 2017 prior to taking up the job as a State Officer in accordance with the law and in order to avoid conflict of interest. In 2017, he was accused of conflict of interest by fronting his law firm for contracts at the IEBC but the matter was dismissed by Parliament for lack of evidence.[10][11]He was a politician and member of Orange Democratic Movement which he resigned from before applying for the position of Chairperson of IEBC.[12] In 2007, contested the Saboti Constituency parliamentary seat and came in second place.[13]
In January 2017 he was appointed Chairperson of the IEBC.[14] During his tenure he managed three Kenyan elections: 2017 Kenyan general election, October 2017 Kenyan presidential election[15][16] and the 2022 Kenyan general election.[17][18]
On 17th January 2023 Chebukati became the first Chairperson of the IEBC to successfully complete the 6 year constitutional term.[8][9] Chebukati was awarded Elder of the order of the Golden Heart (EGH) - Kenya's second highest award given to a civilian - by the President of Kenya for his knowledge and wisdom his memory is to be honored and cherished thus placed in history of Kenya.
Early life and education
He holds a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Nairobi,[19] and Master of Business Administration from the JKUAT. He is a member of LSK, Institute of Certified Secretaries, and ICJ.