Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson Wafula Chebukati battled brain cancer before succumbing to cardiac arrest last Friday, his family has revealed.
Family spokesperson Eric Nyongesa stated in a press briefing that Chebukati was diagnosed in April 2023, shortly after leaving office. He underwent successful surgery in Germany to remove the tumor and spent time recovering before resuming his activities, including international electoral engagements.
In April 2024, the tumor recurred, requiring another surgery in Germany. He returned to Kenya in August and continued with his work. However, in December 2024, a routine checkup revealed another recurrence, leading to his hospitalization until January 2025.
As his family explored further treatment options, he was re-admitted on February 12 and placed in the ICU. On February 20, 2025, he suffered a cardiac arrest while undergoing treatment. Doctors attempted to resuscitate him but were unsuccessful.
Nyongesa dismissed rumors regarding his condition, stating that at no point was the family informed that he was clinically dead before his passing.
A postmortem will be conducted before his burial on March 8 at his Chebukati Sabata farm in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County.
