Wafula Chebukati’s family has revealed details about his health struggles following his exit from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), shedding light on his final months.
In a statement on Monday, family spokesperson Eric Nyongesa disclosed that Chebukati was diagnosed with brain cancer in April 2023, just three months after leaving office. His diagnosis came with severe complications, prompting multiple medical procedures.
According to Nyongesa, he underwent two surgeries to remove the tumor, which kept recurring. At the time of his death, the family was still deliberating on whether to proceed with a third surgery.
After his initial diagnosis, Chebukati was flown to Germany for treatment from April to June 2023. He resumed his normal routine upon returning home. However, in April 2024, the tumor returned, requiring another four-month treatment period in Germany. He came back in August but suffered a third recurrence after three months.
By mid-December 2024, he was hospitalized again and remained under medical care until early January, when he was taken home as the family explored alternative options.
On February 12, he visited the hospital for assessment and was diagnosed with chest complications. Three days later, he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, where he stayed for five days before suffering a cardiac arrest on the night of February 17 at 11:35 p.m.
Nyongesa dismissed social media claims that Chebukati had been declared clinically dead before his passing. The family has scheduled an autopsy between Tuesday and Wednesday to determine the exact cause of death.
Chebukati will be laid to rest on Saturday, March 8, in Sabata, Kitale, Trans Nzoia County.
