Kenya’s electoral history is marked by a troubling pattern—those who lead the country’s electoral body often face severe health complications or legal battles soon after leaving office. From Justice Zacchaeus Chesoni and Samuel Kivuitu to Wafula Chebukati, a disturbing trend emerges: if they are not struggling in hospital beds, they are battling scandals in court.
This recurring phenomenon raises critical questions: Is the immense pressure of running Kenya’s elections too much to bear? Does the position come with unseen dangers beyond the political battlefield? Or is there a deeper, more sinister force at play?
A Legacy of Tragedy
Justice Zacchaeus Chesoni
Justice Chesoni chaired the Electoral Commission during Kenya’s first multiparty elections in 1992, a period marred by allegations of rigging and political violence. His role in the controversial re-election of President Daniel Moi earned him criticism. Shortly after leaving office, Chesoni developed health complications that led to his untimely demise, reinforcing the eerie fate that seems to follow Kenya’s election officials.
Samuel Kivuitu
Kivuitu, who oversaw the disputed 2007 elections, faced one of the darkest moments in Kenya’s history. His announcement of the presidential results sparked post-election violence that left over 1,000 people dead and displaced hundreds of thousands.
The weight of the controversy seemed to haunt him even after leaving office. He later battled throat cancer, which ultimately claimed his life in 2013. Many believe that the stress and political turmoil of his tenure contributed to his declining health.
Wafula Chebukati
Chebukati’s tenure as the IEBC chair during the 2017 and 2022 elections was equally turbulent. He oversaw two highly contested elections, with the 2017 results being nullified by the Supreme Court—the first such ruling in Africa. After exiting office in January 2023, reports have surfaced about his deteriorating health where he was announced clinically ill last week and passed away earlier this week.
Chebukati’s fate is further complicated by the legal battles and threats he has faced. In January 2023, President William Ruto claimed there was a plot to abduct and murder him during the 2022 election period, highlighting the dangers he encountered.
Additionally, opposition leader Raila Odinga accused him of electoral misconduct, prompting Chebukati to threaten legal action for defamation.
The Curse Beyond Illness: Legal Battles and Exile
The curse of the IEBC chairmanship is not just about health problems. Those who survive often find themselves entangled in scandals or fleeing for their safety.
Former IEBC Vice Chair Juliana Cherera and Commissioner Irene Masit, who were part of the “Cherera Four” that rejected the 2022 presidential results, later claimed they had to leave the country due to threats and security concerns. Their exit painted a grim picture of what happens to those who dare to challenge powerful political interests in Kenya’s electoral landscape.
A Job That Comes at a Heavy Price
The pattern of illness, legal troubles, and threats among Kenya’s former electoral chiefs suggests that the role is more than just administrative—it is a high-stakes political minefield. The intense scrutiny, political pressure, and unseen forces at play make it one of the riskiest jobs in the country.
As the nation gears up for future elections, one must ask: will the next IEBC chairperson meet the same fate? Or will Kenya finally break the curse that has haunted its electoral bosses for decades?
