Prof. Adams Oloo, a member of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel, has confirmed his resignation as an advisor to President William Ruto following mounting calls for him to step down from the panel due to potential conflicts of interest.
Oloo, who previously served as a strategy and communications advisor in the Office of the President under Ruto’s administration, clarified that his resignation was formalized on January 24, 2025, after consultations with the President. This move, he emphasized, was aimed at ensuring the credibility and impartiality of the IEBC selection process.
His appointment to the selection panel had sparked controversy, with a section of Kenyans arguing that his prior role as an advisor to the President could compromise the independence of the IEBC. Critics, including lawyer Apollo Mboya, contended that his dual roles violated the principles of separation of powers and representation as outlined in the IEBC Act Cap 7C.
“The second respondent’s (Oloo) position in the panel presents a brazen conflict of interest and is an affront to the principle of separation of powers and representation that was intended by the IEBC Act Cap 7C Laws of Kenya,” Mboya stated in a petition challenging Oloo’s position on the panel.
However, Oloo refuted the claims, stating that he had been appointed to the selection panel as a representative of the Public Service Commission (PSC) after a competitive process. According to him, his nomination by the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) followed an interview process chaired by the Speaker on July 26, 2024. He further reiterated that his appointment as a member of the IEBC selection panel was done in accordance with the law and was subsequently gazetted by the President.
In his statement on Tuesday, Oloo underscored his commitment to a fair and transparent selection process for the new IEBC chairperson and commissioners. He expressed confidence that his resignation from the advisory role had eliminated any potential perceptions of bias in the panel’s work.
“Getting the IEBC right is critical to the future stability of the nation,” Oloo asserted, adding that he and his fellow panelists remain focused on ensuring a credible recruitment process that will earn the trust of all Kenyans.
The controversy surrounding Oloo’s role highlights the growing scrutiny over appointments to key electoral bodies, with stakeholders pushing for greater transparency and independence in the selection process. The outcome of Mboya’s petition could further shape discussions around governance and institutional integrity in Kenya’s electoral framework.
