MP Urges One Of Ruto's Appointments To IEBC Selection Panel To Recuse Self

Lugari Member of Parliament (MP) Nabii Nabwera on Monday, January 27 expressed concern over the appointment of Prof. Adams Oloo to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Selection Panel, hours after President William Ruto finally appointed the team to oversee the process of selecting IEBC Commissioners.

In an interview with K24 TV, Nabwera wondered how Oloo's appointment was allowed, given that he claimed he had recently been appointed as a presidential advisor.

According to the lawmaker, the appointment bordered on a possible conflict of interest, raising questions about his impartiality in representing the diverse interests of the public while serving on the IEBC Selection Panel.

Nabwera urged Oloo to consider recusing himself from the role if he believed that his role in the IEBC would collide with that of the one for the presidential advisor.

Office of the President advisor Adams Oloo who was appointed to the IEBC selection panel. /PEOPLE DAILY

"Congratulations to all who have made it to the list but I'm a bit sceptical about my colleague, Prof. Adams Oloo. I think a few weeks ago he got appointed as an advisor of the president," Nabwera disclosed.

"Now, does it raise conflict, I just want Oloo to reflect on himself, and if he feels that this can cause us problems maybe he can recuse himself so that we get another person. The question would be, is he still representing the interest of those who are coming, or is now representing the interest of the Presidency? That's the only issue I see."

On Sunday, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna disclosed plans to challenge Oloo's inclusion alleging that he currently serves as a communication adviser in President Ruto's government.

In December 2024, President Ruto appointed Oloo, a communication professional, as the Strategy and Communication Advisor within the President's Council of Economic Advisors. He serves alongside Silvester Kasuku, who handles Governance, and Joe Ager, who is the Secretary for Governance.

Oloo's political engagement includes his role as Vice Chair of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), a task force established to promote national unity and constitutional reforms. He has also been Raila Odinga's trusted advisor for many years, playing pivotal roles in his political endeavours. 

Additionally, Oloo served on the National Dialogue Committee's technical team, contributing to efforts aimed at fostering national unity and political stability. 

In a gazette notice, President Ruto appointed Kiome Lindah Gakii, Oloo Adams, James Evans Misati, Nicodemus Kipchirchir Bore, Ambassador Koki Muli, Grignon Carolene Kituku, Tanui Andrew Kipkoech, Nelson Makanda and Fatuma Saman to be members of the panel.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 7A of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act, as read with paragraph 1 (2) of the First Schedule to the Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint (the 9-member team) to be Members of the Selection Panel for the Recruitment of nominees for appointment as the Chairperson and Members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission," read the notice in part.

The Head of State further revoked an earlier notice of selection panel appointments that had been Gazetted in 2023. The nine appointees have since been sworn into office at the Supreme Court Building in Nairobi.

The appointment came three days after the High Court on Friday, January 24 cleared the way for Parliament to send the names of nine members of the selection panel to President Ruto for appointment.

Justice Dola Chepkwony, in a ruling, dismissed claims that the list lacked inclusivity, stating there was no evidence to prove that persons living with disabilities (PWDs) were excluded or that the panel failed to meet gender and regional balance requirements.

The judge also rejected a petition challenging Azimio la Umoja’s nomination process, noting that the claim that the coalition failed to conduct a competitive and open recruitment exercise could not be substantiated, as Azimio was not formally enjoined in the case.