Emmanuel Chebukati, the son of the late Chairman of the Independent and Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Wafula Chaebukati shared memories of his father’s life and moments after he retired from the Commission.
In a heartfelt tribute delivered on Saturday, March 8, at his father’s funeral, Emmanuel recalled the last words his father spoke to him before he passed away.
“No one can mess with me when I am in my bullfighting hat,” he quoted his late father.
According to Emmanuel, this referred to a hat he had brought back from Spain.
“I had just returned from Bilbao, Spain, where I attended a conference. I brought back an authentic Spanish bullfighting hat. When I gave it to him, he immediately said, ‘I feel like a bullfighter already,’ and then he added, ‘Nobody can mess with me when I am in my bullfighting hat,’” Emmanuel recounted.
Emmanuel Narrates Chebukati’s Moments After Retirement
Emmanuel went on to describe his father’s unwavering determination after undergoing his first surgery.
He had the privilege of staying with his father in Germany for a few months during his recovery.
During that time, they took daily walks together, brainstormed on talking points, and prepared for his upcoming engagements.
Emmanuel also shared that they enjoyed eating salmon together while in Germany.
Also Read: Chebukati’s Family Reveal Cause of His Death
After spending several months in Germany, Emmanuel traveled with his father around the world to help him deliver his speeches.
“We went to Ivory Coast and Cape Town, and I assisted him in preparing his presentation in Lisbon,” Emmanuel said.
Despite his health challenges, Chebukati managed to prepare and deliver his presentations with poise, often without referring to his notes.
Chebukati’s Son Narrates His Father’s Last Moments
In his final days, Emmanuel noted that his father was surrounded by love and peace.
“We rallied resources for his care, ensured his well-being, and made sure that family was always by his side,” he explained.
In addition to reflecting on his father’s last moments, Emmanuel highlighted Chebukati’s role as a champion of continuous learning.
Also Read: Mary Wanyonyi: Meet Chebukati’s Wife That Ruto Appointed After Being Sworn-in
He supported Emmanuel in pursuing a master’s degree in applied computer Programming at Carnegie Mellon University by covering his education expenses.
The former IEBC Chairperson passed away on February 20, 2025, due to cardiac arrest. Before his death, he had been fighting brain cancer and had undergone several surgeries. Unfortunately, his health deteriorated, which led to his hospitalization and ultimately resulted in cardiac arrest.
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