21/02/2025
Who is Wafula Chebukati? Detailed Life history.
Early Life and Education:
Wafula Chebukati was born on December 22, 1961, in Kiminini, Trans Nzoia County, Kenya, making him a member of the Luhya community. He spent much of his life in Bungoma County.
His educational journey began at St. Peter’s Mumias Boys High School, followed by Bokoli Secondary School, and he completed his secondary education at Lenana High School in Nairobi. Chebukati pursued higher education at the University of Nairobi, where he earned a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree in 1985. He then attended the Kenya School of Law and was admitted to the roll of advocates in 1986.
Later, he enhanced his credentials with a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).
Legal Career
Chebukati built a robust legal career spanning over three decades. He specialized in areas such as international commerce, trade and investment law, corporate law, governance, environmental law, litigation, dispute resolution, maritime law, and labor laws.
For 20 years, he ran a sole proprietorship law firm before founding Cootow & Associates Advocates in Nairobi in 2006. He served as the managing partner of this firm until January 2017, when he stepped down to assume his role at the IEBC, adhering to legal requirements to avoid conflicts of interest.
Political Involvement
Before his IEBC tenure, Chebukati briefly ventured into politics. In the 2007 general elections, he contested the Saboti parliamentary seat in Trans Nzoia County under the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, led by Raila Odinga.
He lost to Eugene Wamalwa of the Party of National Unity (PNU) and subsequently distanced himself from active politics, resigning his ODM membership and declaring no future interest in elective positions.
Tenure as IEBC Chairman
Chebukati was appointed IEBC Chairman by then-President Uhuru Kenyatta in January 2017, succeeding Ahmed Issack Hassan.
