President William Ruto is among the leaders who are attending
the burial of former IEBC chair Wafula Chebukati at his Sabata home in
Kiminini, Trans Nzoia County.
Other leaders present at the event are Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, Nungoma Governor Ken Lusaka, Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, Interior PS Raymond Omollo and several MPs.
The government has warned against political activities at
the burial of Chebukati.
Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Gideon Oyagi warned that
security agents would be on high alert to stop any potential disruptions.
"We are not going to condone any form of hooliganism,
which is becoming a norm in this region where politicians are taking advantage
of funerals to flex their political muscles,” the County Commissioner stated.
He stated that no one should wear political party regalia or
engage in disruptive behaviour.
“We will not allow people dressed in political party regalia
to attend the event on that day. Whether it is a shirt or a cap, it will not be
permitted. I say this because the event is not a political gathering,” Oyagi
declared.
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya had earlier warned
that some politicians were mobilising people to cause chaos at the funeral. He
urged security agencies to act against such moves.
Natembeya reiterated that Chebukati’s burial would not be a
battleground for political supremacy.
The warning comes amid reports circulating on social media
suggesting possible chaos, with claims that hired goons, allegedly deployed by
unnamed politicians, were planning to boo their rivals.
Chebukati, who completed his six-year tenure as IEBC
chairman on January 17, 2023, died in Nairobi on February 21, 2025, while
undergoing treatment. He was aged 63.
Family spokesman Eric Nyongesa said Chebukati was diagnosed
with brain cancer, after which he underwent two surgeries during his treatment.
Additionally, he revealed that the former electoral boss
suffered a cardiac arrest on Thursday night while undergoing treatment at a
Nairobi hospital before he passed.
Chebukati attended Lenana High School in Nairobi County
before joining the University of Nairobi (UoN) to pursue a Bachelor's degree in
Law.
