In the grand annals of Kenyan electoral history, few names shine as brightly—or controversially—as that of Wafula Chebukati. A man of unwavering commitment to democracy (or at least his own interpretation of it), Chebukati graced the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) with his leadership, ensuring thatelections were always exciting, unpredictable and above all, unforgettable.
His magnum opus came in 2022 when he bravely stood against the forces of, well, his own commission. With four commissioners rejecting his results, claiming the tallying process was opaque, Chebukati still marched forward, unwavering in his duty to read out the winner’s name—like an oracle who saw what no one else could. It was a moment of sheer political theatre: commissioners storming out, rival camps holding press conferences, and an entire nation watching in suspense. Would he announce the president-elect, or would he take a commercial break?
Despite the chaos, Chebukati held firm. He had one job—to declare a winner—and by God, he did. It did not matter that half his commission disowned the results. It did not matter that Kenya teetered on the edge of political turmoil. He had spoken, and that was final. And so, William Ruto ascended to power, while Raila Odinga and his supporters cried foul, ensuring Kenya’s post-election tradition of protests, disputes, and court battles remained intact.
Chebukati’s tenure was not just about elections; it was about courage. Courage to ignore dissenting voices. Courage to dismiss concerns of transparency. Courage to make history—by any means necessary. His leadership style was a perfect blend of arrogance and unwavering determination, a rare gift that allowed him to sail through scandal after scandal with the composure of a man who knew he was untouchable.
Even after leaving office, Chebukati’s legacy endures. Every time Kenyans doubt an election, every time commissioners disagree, and every time ballot boxes become the subject of national debate, his name echoes in the halls of history. His final act—announcing results amidst a divided commission—will forever be remembered as the moment when the will of the people met the will of Chebukati, and the latter triumphed.
And so, as Kenya continues to navigate the political ripples of his decisions, one thing remains clear: love him or hate him, Chebukati will never be forgotten.
