Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Wafula Chebukati’s family has called on Kenyans to accord them privacy and allow them to mourn their kin peacefully.
Addressing the press on Friday morning, family spokesperson Eric Wafula disclosed that the family would soon issue a comprehensive statement regarding Chebukati’s death.
“We are all saddened by the loss, and as the family comes to terms with it, we are asking everybody, including the press, to please allow the family privacy as they mourn,” said the spokesperson.
“We hope to issue a formal statement by tomorrow after a meeting this evening, and by then, we will send out an official communication.”
According to the family spokesperson, Chebukati’s family, including the deceased’s father, had already travelled to Nairobi last night, moments after receiving news of his son’s death.
While calling on Kenyans to avoid speculations, the family's spokesperson revealed that the deceased passed away at a Nairobi hospital on Thursday, February 20, a few minutes before 11 pm, following a long battle with an illness that the family is yet to disclose.
Commenting on the possibility of conducting an autopsy, the family revealed that a decision on whether to conduct a post-mortem on the deceased’s body had yet to be made but would be addressed during tomorrow’s meeting.
The family noted that the decision to carry out a post-mortem on Chebukati’s body would also depend on the responses given by doctors during tomorrow's consultative meeting.
"All I wish to say is that he had been unwell and was in hospital. He passed away at around 11 pm last night. However, the family has yet to decide on conducting a post-mortem," Wafula stated.
"Once the family has decided to proceed with a post-mortem and after speaking to the doctors, we will be able to explain to the nation what could have caused his death. I suppose that will be part of the communication we will be giving out. Please do not speculate," he added.
The family’s press briefing comes barely two hours after reports suggested that Chebukati had passed away while receiving treatment at a Nairobi hospital.
Meanwhile, the former IEBC chairperson's body has since been moved to the iconic Lee Funeral Home, awaiting a decision on whether to conduct a post-mortem.
On the same note, several leaders across the country have taken to social media to mourn Chebukati, including President William Ruto who mourned the former IEBC commissioner as a principled and diligent leader who served the nation with integrity.
"I have received the news of the passing of former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Chairperson Wafula Chebukati with profound sorrow. Chebukati was a principled and diligent leader who served the nation with integrity," Ruto said.
"His death is a great loss to our country. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time. Rest in peace."
