Prof Oloo defends IEBC role, says he resigned from Ruto’s advisory team
He also noted that he resigned as Ruto’s advisor because he believes a credible IEBC is essential for the country’s future stability.
Prof Adams Oloo has defended his appointment to the IEBC selection panel, saying he resigned as President William Ruto’s advisor to avoid any conflict of interest.
His appointment was challenged in court by Lawyer Apollo Mboya, who argued that the appointment was unlawful as Oloo also serves as an advisor to the president.
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Mboya asked the court to quash the appointment noting that Oloo's role in President Ruto’s Council of Economic Advisers could compromise the fairness of the selection process.
Oloo was appointed an advisor to President Ruto on December 20, 2024. His appointment was part of a move by the head of state to include allies of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga in key government positions.
In response, Oloo clarified that he consulted with the president before stepping down in late January.
“Given that my name was due to be forwarded to the President for formal gazettement as per the law, I, after consultation and in concurrence with the President, resigned from the position of advisor to the president. That resignation is contained in a letter dated January 24, 2025,” he said.
He also noted that he resigned as Ruto’s advisor because he believes a credible IEBC is essential for the country’s future stability.
He explained that his decision was aimed at ensuring the selection process for the IEBC chairperson and commissioners remains free from any perception of bias.
Oloo further reiterated that he was appointed to the IEBC selection panel as one of the Public Service Commission’s representatives following a competitive process.
He dismissed calls for his resignation from the panel, maintaining that his decision to step down as Ruto’s advisor ensured impartiality in the recruitment of electoral commissioners.
“I was one of the nominees of the PSC that had two slots. I became one of the nominees of PSC courtesy of competitive interviews conducted under the chairmanship of the Speaker on July 26, 2024," he said.
“Subsequently, the President in conformity with my nomination by the Parliamentary Service Commission via Gazette Notice Vol CXXVII- NO 17 appointed me as a member of the Selection Panel for the recruitment of nominees for appointment of the Chairperson and members of the IEBC.”
He insisted that his focus remains on ensuring a credible electoral process, saying the integrity of the IEBC is key to the country’s democratic stability.
On Tuesday, IEBC Selection panel Vice Chairperson Lindah Kiome highlighted that the panel would continue working with Oloo as no legal orders had been issued to halt the process.
“On matters pertaining to the law, we leave it to the courts to decide. However, as far as we are concerned, there are no injunctions, and therefore, we are continuing with our work with that member until directed otherwise by the court,” she said.
She added that the panel was engaging stakeholders to ensure a credible process.
“We are working to strengthen the selection panel’s capacity to ensure we give Kenyans commissioners who meet the highest standards. We aim to restore confidence in the IEBC as an institution,” she said.
She also announced that the panel expects to complete the selection of IEBC nominees by April 25, 2025, when it will submit the names to President Ruto.
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