Introduction
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 by the retired President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta. Following his appointment in 2017, He succeeded Ahmed Issack Hassan.He retired on 17th January 2023 following the end of his term.
Career
Chebukati is a Kenyan lawyer with an interest in corporate governance. In 2006 he founded a Nairobi-based law firm Cootow & Associates Advocates. In 2017, he was accused of conflicting of interest by fronting his law firm for contracts at the IEBC.
He was a politician and member of Orange Democratic Movement. In 2007, contested the Saboti Constituency parliamentary seat and lost to Eugene Wamalwa.
In January 2017 he joined IEBC as Chairand has so far overseen three elections: 2017 Kenyan general election, October 2017 Kenyan presidential electionand the 2022 Kenyan general election.
On 17 January 2023 Chebukati, together with commissioners Abdi Guliye and Boya Molu, retired after their 6-year term at the IEBC came to an end.
Early life and education
He holds a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Nairobi, and Master of Business Administration from the JKUAT.He is a member of LSK, Institute of Certified Secretaries, and ICJ.