Gatundu South Member of Parliament Gabriel Kagombe has called for a state funeral for the former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson Wafula Chebukati.

Speaking on Saturday, February 22, the Gatundu lawmaker emphasised that Chebukati's steadfastness during the 2017 and 2022 general elections played a foundational role in preventing post-election violence, and he should be recognised as a hero.

"I want to say that this is a hero who needs to be given his respects, and I know the government will give him a proper burial given his status," he said.

Kagombe noted that the late chairman did not allow himself to be shaken by anyone while fighting for the rights of Kenyans, a characteristic that made him stand out from his predecessors.

Gatundu South MP Gabriel Kagombe speaking during President William Ruto's tour of Mt Kenya on February 14, 2024.

Photo

Gabriel Kagombe

"We shall remember Chebukati as someone who stood firm and fought for the rights of Kenyans and someone who did not allow to be intimidated and stood firm," he said.

"In 2022 we were in a bad state where this country could have been torn apart, but he stood and said that the factors that brought violence in 2007 was because the one who was there then did not stand firm, but Chebukati stood and gave us the truth," he added.

Wafula Chebukati was appointed as the chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) by then-President Uhuru Kenyatta in January 2017. He oversaw both the 2017 and 2022 general elections, during which he faced several challenges before retiring in 2023.

The 2017 presidential election results were annulled by the Supreme Court due to identified irregularities, marking the first time a presidential election had been overturned in Kenya. Nevertheless, Chebukati led the commission through the repeat election that followed.

In the 2022 elections, Chebukati declared William Ruto as the President-elect despite internal divisions within the commission that caused a public fallout. He stood firmly by the announced results, which were eventually upheld by the Supreme Court.

Upon his retirement in January 2023, Chebukati was awarded the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (EGH), Kenya's second-highest civilian honor, in recognition of his service.

Chebukati died on Friday, February 21, while undergoing treatment at a Nairobi hospital, hardly a week after being admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) following several days of treatment at home.

While reports of his illness went viral on social media platforms, the cause of his death is yet to be established, with sources privy to the information remaining private on the matter.

President William Ruto (right) receives the certificate of nomination to vie for the presidency from IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati at the Bomas of Kenya on Saturday, June 4, 2022

DPPS