Chebukati’s children glowing tribute to their dad

The two sons and daughter of former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission chairperson Wafula Chebukati described him as a man who has lived life with purpose, determination, courage and diligence.

In a glowing tribute, they walked down memory lane to unpack the times they shared with their father.

Chebukati’s daughter Rachel Nekesa penned a glowing tribute to his late father.

She said her father broke records, defied odds and was never afraid to stand in truth even if it meant being an outlier.

“All in all, you have lived a full life as you also remembered to spare time to enjoy it,” she said.

Rachel remembered how his father motivated her during her school life and golf games.

“Plan it and then when you go to bed, dream about doing it well, you would say to me the night before I had a school exam, the night before I had to make a presentation, or the night before I had a golf competition,” Rachel recalled.

This, she said, instilled in her the power of positive thinking which she applies in her life to this day.

Rachel said Chebukati, her father, encouraged her to aim for the sky and to always believe in herself.

“You expected excellence, and rightfully so because you worked hard to ensure you sent us to the best schools and expose us to as many opportunities and experiences as possible,” she said.

“More importantly you led by example. “How was your day?” - sounds cliché but it wasn’t just a standard question when you asked it. A “fine” in response was not enough because you wanted to know every little detail even in my big age.”

Rachel added that Chebukati often celebrated her wins more than she did herself.

During the general election, Rachel recalled how she kept tabs on her father by calling him multiple times a day.

Despite his busy schedule, the former IEBC chair picked all the calls.

“You said to me, the only time I can’t pick your call is when I’m at a press conference and I said that’s okay because at least I can see you on TV.”

She said that Chebukati, with a positive attitude, fought valiantly for over 20 months.

“I will miss having you to speak with. I will miss your presence and your hugs. I will miss your witty sense of humor. I will miss discussing the law, politics and international affairs with you,” Rachel said. 

Rachel said her father never stopped learning, always eager to read another book, another article and attend another course.

She remembered how her father mentored her in playing golf, terming it as her favorite childhood memories.

“You will always be my favorite golf Partner. We always took the risky shot and we would often succeed because it all starts with being confident and believing in ourselves. When we missed the shot, we remained confident in our ability to make a remarkable recovery. Giving up was never an option.”

Rachel was grateful to God for the blessing of her father and promised to pass the values he instilled in him to her future children.

“All these traits and more have shaped me into the person I am today. I will forever carry your legacy within me. I love you Daddy. Being your daughter is the greatest honor of my life. Rest in Perfect Peace.”

Jonathan Chebukati described his father as his role model and mentor, a man of integrity and honesty and unshakeable.

Jonathan said he built a lifetime of happy memories, the ones he will cherish and which time can never erase.

“If I were to pen them all down it would need more than a book.”

Jonathan recalled how his father introduced him to golf when he was 10 years old.

He developed his passion for golf from his father, whom he constantly accompanied to the golf course.

“I had learnt from the best. In 2007, when I got my handicap, which then allowed me to play professional golf around the world; you were so proud of me,” he recalled.

“You and mum enrolled me and sponsored me to join the Junior Golf Foundation (JGF), the foundation of Golfers 18 years and below, to improve my golf by playing and winning in some tournaments across the golf courses in the country.”

Jonathan described how emotional he was while writing the tribute, saying his heart is heavy with grief.

“Losing you feels like losing part of myself, but I find comfort in the Lord daily. Your life is hard to emulate but I will do my best to live a life of integrity, like you did.”

I am confident that you are in heaven and are watching over us. I won’t see you again on earth, but happily we will meet in heaven.”

For Chebukati’s son, Emmanuel, he was instilled with a deep sense of responsibility.

While growing up in Nyali home, Emmanuel said, his father entrusted him with the responsibility of managing staff salaries and other procurement matters.

“Each month, I would prepare a budget, present it to him for approval, collect the funds, disburse the funds, and ensure that every employee and casual appended their signature upon receipt,” he recalled.

“To him, it wasn’t just about the arithmetic; it was about understanding the value of labour, and the dignity of fairness.”

The skills, he said, would later prove invaluable in his career.

Emmanuel remembered how he spent the last full day with him before his death.

He had just returned from Bilbao, Spain with a gift, an authentic Spanish hat worn during bullfighting competitions.

“Initially, I hesitated to buy it, it was expensive, and I already had another gift for him. But something told me to turn around and go get it. When I placed the hat atop his head in his favourite spot in the garden, he adjusted it, had a feel of the brim, and then he immediately lit up. “I feel like a bullfighter already!” he declared. Then, with that familiar twinkle in his eye, he added, “No one can mess with me when I’m in my bullfighting hat.”

Emmanuel described him as strong, resilient, and full of conviction.

He said Chebukati was simply the best father a son could ever ask for.

“In his final days, my father was surrounded by love and peace. We rallied resources for his care, safeguarded his well-being, and made sure his family was always by his side. Indeed, no one could mess with him not in life, not in his final moments. Rest well, Dad. I will carry your lessons with me forever and keep your hat safe  a symbol of the wisdom you wore so effortlessly, the strength you carried with quiet dignity, and the path you charted for me to follow.”

On Wednesday, friends and politicians joined the family of Chebukati for a memorial service at Citam Karen.