Juliana Cherera Unanimously Elected IEBC Vice-Chairperson

During her vetting by the National Assembly's Justice and Legal Affairs committee, Cherera said she would stay put in office even if she were to encounter attempts at external interference with her work or pressure from politicians to resign before elections.

While appearing for approval hearings, Cherera had said she would put the interests of the public first.

"If things become sour, I will stay put. I'll be like a captain. You know captains never abandon the ship, " she said.

"I will go for the interest of the public first. I will speak for the vulnerable and those who do not have a voice."

Juliana Cherera was among the four new commissioners appointed to the electoral body by President Uhuru Kenyatta. Others include; Francis Wanderi, Irene Masit, and Justus Abonyo.

Prior to joining the IEBC, she was Chief Officer in the office of the Governor in Mombasa County. She is also a teacher by profession.

She takes over from Consolata Nkatha who deputized Chairman Wafula Chebukati until April 2018, when she tendered her resignation alongside commissioners Margaret Mwachanya and Paul Kurgat.

The commissioners cited a lack of confidence in Chebukati's leadership as their reasons for stepping down.

Their exit followed that of Roselyn Akombe who was the first to exit the electoral body in 2017, as Kenya prepared for a presidential election re-run.

IEBC has assured Kenyans of its commitment to holding free, fair, and credible elections in the 2022 general elections.