{"id":111492,"date":"2025-03-06T12:03:28","date_gmt":"2025-03-06T12:03:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/index.php\/2025\/03\/06\/tears-tributes-as-family-friends-honour-chebukati-ahead-of-burial\/"},"modified":"2025-03-06T12:03:28","modified_gmt":"2025-03-06T12:03:28","slug":"tears-tributes-as-family-friends-honour-chebukati-ahead-of-burial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/tears-tributes-as-family-friends-honour-chebukati-ahead-of-burial\/","title":{"rendered":"Tears, Tributes as Family, Friends Honour Chebukati Ahead of Burial"},"content":{"rendered":"

NAIROBI, Kenya March 6 \u2013 Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Wafula Chebukati was honoured in a solemn and emotional memorial service at CITAM Karen on Wednesday, where family, friends, and national leaders paid glowing tributes to his legacy of integrity and service.<\/strong><\/p>\n

From the moment his family arrived at the church, carrying his portrait in a solemn procession, it was evident that the late Chebukati had left an indelible mark on those who knew him. His children, Jonathan, Emmanuel, and Rachel, stood at the front, leading the mourners as his casket was carried into the sanctuary.<\/p>\n

His son Emmanuel, reading the eulogy, painted a picture of a loving father whose principles guided their family. \u201cDad was a man of discipline and order, but he always made time for us. Whether it was playing golf or offering life advice, he instilled in us the values of hard work and resilience,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Rachel recalled his unwavering support in her academic and personal pursuits. \u201cBefore every major school event, he would remind me to stay confident and do my best. He believed in excellence and expected nothing less,\u201d she shared, her voice breaking with emotion.<\/p>\n

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His father, John Wafula Chebukati, spoke of the deep pain of outliving his son, describing him as the pillar of their family. \u201cChebukati was not just a son to me; he was a leader, a peacemaker, and a source of wisdom. His departure leaves a void that can never be filled,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

His brothers, Andrew Wafula and Daniel Chebukati, described him as a man of unwavering principles. \u201cEven as a child, he always stood for the truth, no matter the consequences,\u201d Andrew recalled.<\/p>\n

Justice Daniel Musinga, speaking on behalf of the Judiciary, described Chebukati as a man whose leadership left an indelible impact on Kenya\u2019s electoral system. \u201cHe upheld the rule of law even in the face of immense pressure. His tenure at the IEBC will be remembered for his commitment to transparency and justice,\u201d Musinga said.<\/p>\n

Former Attorney General Githu Muigai reflected on their professional interactions. \u201cWafula Chebukati was a man of quiet strength and deep conviction. He never wavered in his pursuit of what was right, even when it came at great personal cost,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo honoured him with a poem that captured his courage and resilience. \u201cA man who stood firm, unshaken by storms, whose principles were his compass,\u201d she recited.<\/p>\n

Representatives from the IEBC, both past and present, also paid their respects.<\/p>\n

IEBC Vice Chairperson Juliana Cherera, who served alongside Chebukati, recalled his steady leadership. \u201cHe was a man who believed in the independence of the Commission and worked tirelessly to uphold its credibility,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Former IEBC CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan described him as a mentor and visionary. \u201cHe guided the team through one of the most challenging elections in Kenya\u2019s history with calm and determination,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n

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Abdi Guliye, a former IEBC commissioner, recalled their difficult moments during the 2022 General Election. \u201cHe never bowed to pressure, never compromised his principles. His name will forever be synonymous with electoral integrity,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Family spokesperson Eric Nyongesa disclosed that Chebukati was diagnosed with brain cancer in April 2023, just a few months after leaving office. \u201cHe fought bravely, with the same resilience he showed throughout his life. He never let his illness define him,\u201d Nyongesa said.<\/p>\n

His diagnosis had remained private until the family chose to share it, offering a glimpse into the silent struggle he endured in his final months.<\/p>\n

His longtime friends from the golfing community reminisced about his passion for the sport. \u201cHe never missed a weekend on the golf course, always dressed in the latest gear, and playing with precision,\u201d one friend shared.<\/p>\n

Former colleagues described him as a humble yet firm leader. \u201cHe was a boss who led by example, never asking anyone to do what he himself wouldn\u2019t,\u201d said a former IEBC staff member.<\/p>\n

Chebukati will be laid to rest on March 8 at his Kitale farm, with another funeral service planned for Friday in his rural home.<\/p>\n

Religious leaders led prayers for the family, emphasizing the legacy of faith Chebukati embodied. \u201cHe walked with integrity, and we believe he has found peace in the Lord,\u201d one pastor said.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

NAIROBI, Kenya March 6 \u2013 Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Wafula Chebukati was honoured in a solemn and emotional memorial service at CITAM Karen on Wednesday, where family, friends, and national leaders paid glowing tributes to his legacy of integrity and service. From the moment his family arrived at the church, carrying […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-111492","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","entry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111492","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=111492"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111492\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=111492"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=111492"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=111492"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}