The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has, in a statement sent to newsrooms on Wednesday, announced the appointment of its Vice Chairperson.

IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati announced that the commissioners had unanimously elected Julianna Whonge Cherera as Vice Chairperson in a plenary meeting held on Tuesday.

“The commission would like to assure all stakeholders and the public in general of its commitment to deliver a free, fair and credible 2022 General Election that meets the democratic aspirations of the people of Kenya,” Chebukati said in the statement.

Julianna Whonge Cherera. PHOTO/COURTESY

Cherera, Irene Masit, Justus Abonyo and Francis Wanderi took office as Commissioners in the poll body on September 4, during an event presided over by Chief Justice Martha Koome.

The swearing in at the Supreme Court building ended a three-year period during which the commission operated without a quorum after four commissioners controversially resigned.

Then IEBC Vice Chairperson Consolata Nkatha, alongside commissioners Paul Kurgat, Margaret Mwachanya and Roselyn Akombe resigned following the contested 2017 General Election.

Wafula Chebukati and Julianna Whonge Cherera. PHOTO/COURTESY

President Uhuru Kenya gazetted the appointment of the four IEBC commissioners on September 2 after the National Assembly vetted them and approved their nomination.

They were selected from 36 Kenyans who had been interviewed to fill the vacant positions and joined Chairperson Chebukati alongside commissioners Abdi Guliye and Boya Molu in office.