Tabitha Cherono has the highest qualification in volleyball refereeing, the International Referee Certificate, making her the first African to attain this and the only female referee with these qualifications.

Cherono is the sixth such recognised referee in volleyball and the first ever woman in this field, a major achievement that opened the door for two other Kenyan female referees.

Out of a class of 20, Cherono was the only African to successfully graduate from the gruelling eight-day training. She began officiating in 1992 and encourages former athletes to take up more officiating roles after they retire from active sports.

Cherono’s passion for volleyball was birthed while she was a student at Mary Hill High School. She would later play for Kenya Commercial Bank and Nairobi City Council before venturing into refereeing the game.