Mary Chebukati, the wife of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson, Wafula Chebukati, made headlines after being shortlisted among 477candidates eying positions for principal secretaries (PSs).
Before the list was publicised on October 6, Mary lived a quiet life as her husband managed the historic August 9 polls.
Unknown to many, Mary has been in public service for many years serving as an accountant in prominent government institutions.
The shortlisted candidate for a PS post currently serves in the Ministry of Lands and Physical planning as the Senior Deputy Accountant General.
Additionally, she heads the accounting unit in the Ministry led by outgoing Cabinet Secretary, Farida Karoney. Mary Chebukati joined the lands docket in 2019.
Before her transfer, she served at the Ministry of Treasury and was attached to the office of the PS, serving as the Director General in-charge of Accounting and Quality Assurance.
Apart from the two ministries, she has also worked at the Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (PSASB) secretariat serving in the accountant general department.
Her experience in accounting is credited to her years of experience serving in various departments in defunct districts across the country.
Mary has also served on various boards in institutions, including the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Maasai Mara University and the Co-operative University of Kenya.
The accountant holds a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce and a Masters in Business Administration.
Additionally, she is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA-K) and a certified mediator.
"She is also a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) and Institute of Certified Investment and Financial Analysts (ICIFA)," the Ministry of Lands states on its website.
Mary has a passion for golf and attends various tournaments in the country.
She is also the mother of three, Rachel, Jonathan and Emmanuel Chebukati.
