President Ruto joined other leaders at the funeral of former IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati. The burial took place at Chebukati's Sabata home in Kiminini, Trans Nzoia County. Several high-ranking officials attended, including Prime Cabinet Secretary Mudavadi, National Assembly Speaker Wetang'ula, Senate Speaker Kingi, and various governors and MPs.
The government issued strict warnings against any political activities during the funeral service. Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Gideon Oyagi made it clear that security forces would be watching carefully to prevent disruptions. He emphasized they wouldn't tolerate any troublemaking, which he noted has become common in the region when politicians use funerals as opportunities to display their political influence.
Oyagi banned all political party clothing and disruptive behavior. He specifically mentioned that shirts or caps representing political parties wouldn't be allowed at the event because it wasn't a political gathering. Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya had previously cautioned that certain politicians planned to bring people to create disorder at the funeral, and he asked security agencies to take action against such plans.
Natembeya stressed that Chebukati's funeral shouldn't become a place for political power struggles. These warnings came amid social media reports suggesting possible chaos, with claims that hired troublemakers, reportedly sent by unnamed politicians, intended to jeer at their opponents. Chebukati, who finished his six-year term as IEBC chairman on January 17, 2023, passed away in Nairobi on February 21, 2025, during medical treatment at age 63.
Family spokesperson Eric Nyongesa revealed that Chebukati had been diagnosed with brain cancer and underwent two surgeries as part of his treatment. He also disclosed that the former election official suffered a cardiac arrest Thursday night at a Nairobi hospital before he died. Chebukati received his education at Lenana High School in Nairobi County and later studied law at the University of Nairobi.
The government issued strict warnings against any political activities during the funeral service. Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Gideon Oyagi made it clear that security forces would be watching carefully to prevent disruptions. He emphasized they wouldn't tolerate any troublemaking, which he noted has become common in the region when politicians use funerals as opportunities to display their political influence.
Oyagi banned all political party clothing and disruptive behavior. He specifically mentioned that shirts or caps representing political parties wouldn't be allowed at the event because it wasn't a political gathering. Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya had previously cautioned that certain politicians planned to bring people to create disorder at the funeral, and he asked security agencies to take action against such plans.
Natembeya stressed that Chebukati's funeral shouldn't become a place for political power struggles. These warnings came amid social media reports suggesting possible chaos, with claims that hired troublemakers, reportedly sent by unnamed politicians, intended to jeer at their opponents. Chebukati, who finished his six-year term as IEBC chairman on January 17, 2023, passed away in Nairobi on February 21, 2025, during medical treatment at age 63.
Family spokesperson Eric Nyongesa revealed that Chebukati had been diagnosed with brain cancer and underwent two surgeries as part of his treatment. He also disclosed that the former election official suffered a cardiac arrest Thursday night at a Nairobi hospital before he died. Chebukati received his education at Lenana High School in Nairobi County and later studied law at the University of Nairobi.
