Mary Chebukati Wanyonyi, widow of the late Wafula Chebukati, former Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), is currently Chairperson of the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA).
She was appointed to the position by President William Ruto in May 2023, succeeding Jane Kiringai, who had served a full six-year term as CRA director.
Wanyonyi is serving a six-year non-renewable term at the CRA, which is in charge of recommending an equitable distribution of national government resources between the national and county governments.
She is the third chairperson of the CRA since the 2010 Constitution took effect, replacing Micah Cheserem and Kiringai.
Her appointment sparked significant debate, with some MPs claiming she was picked purely for her ties to the late Wafula Chebukati.
However, proponents of her appointment justified her appointment, highlighting her qualifications above her married status.
On her appointment, the late Wafula Chebukati congratulated his wife.
After Chief Justice Martha Koome swore her in on July 17 at the Supreme Court, he publicly lauded her dedication and expertise and wished her success in her new post.
He also encouraged her to uphold the Constitution and the law.
Wanyonyi previously served as Senior Deputy Accountant General at the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning, which she assumed in 2019.
She previously worked for the Ministry of Treasury as the Director General in Charge of Accounting and Quality Assurance, reporting to the Permanent Secretary.
She also served in the Accountant General’s Department at the Secretariat of the Public Sector Accounting Standrds Board (PSASB).
She has also served on various boards, including Kenyatta National Hospital, Masai Mara niversity, and Cooperative University, as well as chairing the Kenya Ladies Golf Union.
Mary Wanyonyi had also been shortlisted and interviewed for the position of Principal Secretary (PS), but was unble to secure it.
She is a certified public accountant (CPA), a certified professional mediator (CPM), and a financial analyst.
Wanyonyi has over 37 years of experience in the public sector, including national and sub-county levels, and is well-versed in accounting systems and government duties.
She also has a Master’s degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in accounting.
Mary belongs to the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK), the Institute of Certified Investment and Financial Analysts (ICIFA), and the Association of Women Accountants of Kenya. She and her husband, Wafula Chebukati, kept their family life private and had children together.
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