Golf was more than just a sport for former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Wafula Chebukati—it was a lifelong passion, a family tradition, and a cornerstone of his legacy, according to tributes from his family following his death on February 20, 2025.
A single-handicap golfer, Chebukati immersed himself in the game and introduced his wife, Mary, and their children to the sport at a young age.
“It is impossible to talk about Chebukati without talking about his love for golf,” a family tribute noted.
To Chebukati, who passed away after battling an aggressive illness for nearly two years, golf quickly became a family affair.
Every Sunday after church, the Chebukati family would don matching outfits and head to the golf course.
“Family came first for Chebukati. Family time was important to him,” the tribute revealed.
Breaking barriers
His wife, Mary Chebukati, revealed how they not only played together but also broke barriers in golf leadership.
“In our golfing circles, you served as Chairman of Mombasa Golf Club while I was the Lady Captain. Together, we defied the belief that a single family couldn’t hold leadership positions simultaneously. We repeated this at Nyali Golf Club,” she recounted.
His son Jonathan, in his tribute, recalled how his father introduced him to golf at the age of 10, acknowledging that his father’s influence led him to professional success in the sport.
“When I was 10 years old, I accompanied you to the golf course. I quickly took to golf, and you said I was a natural. Your passion became mine. You trained me, Dad, so that I could become the best in this sport,” Jonathan wrote.
Chebukati not only trained his children himself but later enrolled them in the Junior Golf Foundation (JGF) and sponsored them for professional training in Kenya and South Africa to refine their skills.
“You and Mum enrolled me and sponsored me to join the Junior Golf Foundation to improve my golf by playing and winning in some tournaments across the country. In 2009, you sent me to South Africa for a three-month training to upgrade my golf skills,” Jonathan added.
Together, the father and son made history by winning the 2015 Club Matchplay Foursomes at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club—becoming the first related golf partners to be champions at the prestigious club, with their names “W. Chebukati and J. Chebukati” permanently engraved there.
Favourite childhood memory
His daughter, Rachel, also shared fond memories of playing alongside him, describing their weekly family Sunday golf days as some of her favorite childhood memories.
“Our weekly family Sunday golf days are some of my favourite childhood memories. You will always be my favourite golf partner. We always took the risky shot, and we would often succeed because it all starts with confidence and belief in oneself. When we missed the shot, we remained confident in our ability to make a remarkable recovery. Giving up was never an option,” Rachel wrote in her tribute.
Beyond the sport
Despite his deep love for golf, Chebukati often faced criticism from peers who found it unusual that he preferred to play with his wife and children rather than with other men at the club. However, his devotion to family was unwavering.
Chebukati believed that golf instilled patience and strategy—qualities he carried into his professional life, including his tenure as IEBC Chairman.
He also played a significant role in golf administration, serving as Captain and Chairman of both Mombasa Golf Club and Nyali Golf & Country Club, as well as the Coast Representative to the Kenya Golf Union.
Even in his final days, golf remained a cherished part of his life.
“Golf will certainly never be the same without you. Whenever you played with me, you would strategize on how to win every time. Losing was not an option. If it happened, you told me, ‘It’s not the end of the world, son, your time will come,’” Jonathan reflected on their bond on the course.