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 17 January 2023 following the end of his term.[8][9]
Wafula. W. Chebukati | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Chebukati in 2024 | |
| Born | 22 December 1961 |
| Nationality | kenyan |
| 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, IEBC |
| Spouse | Mary Chebukati Wanyonyi [1] |
life history
editChebukati 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 17 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 17 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
editHe 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.
References
edit- ^ "Chebukati's wife among first to appear for PSS interviews".
- ^ Capital FM, 18 Jan 2017 President Kenyatta Appoints Chebukati To Head IEBC
- ^ The Standard, 18 Jan 2017 Uhuru Kenyatta appoints Chebukati as new IEBC Chairman
- ^ Citizen Digital, 29 Dec 2016 Uhuru Nominates Chebukati As IEBC Chair
- ^ Nation, 30 Dec 2016 Uhuru nominates Wafula Chebukati to succeed Issack Hassan as IEBC boss
- ^ Standard, 20 Jan 2017 Issack Hassan hands over office to new IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati
- ^ The-Star, 20Jan 2017 Time up: Issack Hassan hands over to new IEBC boss Chebukati
- ^ a b "End of an era as Chebukati and two poll chiefs exit IEBC". Nation. 2023-01-08. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
- ^ a b Nyarangi, Edwin. "Which way IEBC? Chebukati, Guliye set to retire and commissioners wanted out". The Standard. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
- ^ "Law firm linked to Chebukati got IEBC tenders for petitions". Nation. 2020-06-28. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
- ^ Nyamori, Moses. "Chebukati awarded his firm, fronted others for contracts, claims Chiloba". The Standard. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
- ^ Nation, 10 Jan 2017 I resigned from ODM, IEBC boss-nominee Wafula Chebukati says
- ^ Ayaga, Wilfred. "I last met Raila in 2007, IEBC chairman nominee tells MPs". The Standard. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
- ^ The-Star, 20 Jan 2017 Chebukati, commissioners sworn in to head IEBC
- ^ Standard, 30 Oct 2017 Kenyans react after Chebukati declares Uhuru winner
- ^ KBC, 30 Oct 2017 IEBC Chair Chebukati declares Uhuru Kenyatta President-elect
- ^ The-Star, 16 Aug 2022 Big split in IEBC as Chebukati declares Ruto president-elect
- ^ Capital FM, 2 Sep 2022 Chebukati Defends Executive Powers In Declaring Ruto President-Elect
- ^ Mpasho, 15 Aug 2022 10 things you didn't know about Wafula Chebukati