Prof. Adams Oloo
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In response to growing political scrutiny, Professor Adams Oloo, a member of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel, has firmly declined calls for his resignation amid concerns over a potential conflict of interest.
Critics had raised alarms regarding Oloo's recent advisory role within President William Ruto's administration, suggesting that holding both positions could undermine the impartiality of the IEBC panel's selections.
Professor Oloo has addressed these concerns by announcing his resignation from the advisory position, a move he confirms was made in consultation with President Ruto. His resignation, formalized in a letter dated January 24, 2025, reinforces his commitment to maintaining the integrity of the electoral selection process.
''I was one of the nominees of the Parliamentary Service Commission (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 26th 2024," he said.
Oloo's appointment to the IEBC selection panel was the result of a competitive and transparent selection process overseen by the Public Service Commission (PSC). He was nominated by the PSC in July 2024, following a rigorous evaluation led by the Speaker, and his appointment was subsequently ratified by the President through an official Gazette Notice, emphasizing his qualifications to represent the PSC. In his public statement, Professor Oloo highlights the critical need for a credible and independent electoral body as pivotal to Kenya's political stability.
His decision to resign from his advisory role was motivated by a desire to eliminate any perceptions of bias in the IEBC selection process. The controversy surrounding Oloo's membership on the panel escalated when lawyer Apollo Mboya filed a petition challenging his appointment, asserting that his dual roles breached the principles of separation of powers and constituted a conflict of interest under the IEBC Act. In response, Oloo reiterated his commitment to upholding the integrity of the selection process and expressed confidence in the panel's capacity to fulfil its mandate objectively.
“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,” says Mboya.
He called for public support for the panel’s efforts to establish a credible electoral commission, underscoring the delicate balance required in political appointments.