Concern raised as Ruto’s advisor, Adams Oloo is appointed to IEBC selection panel
Appointment of President William Ruto's Advisor Adams Oloo to IEBC selection panel raises concerns
Appointment of President William Ruto’s Advisor Adams Oloo to IEBC selection panel raises concerns.
Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera has expressed concerns over the appointment of Prof. Adams Oloo to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Selection Panel.
Speaking during a TV interview on Monday, January 27, the MP voiced skepticism regarding Oloo’s appointment, arguing that it may lead to potential conflicts of interest.
Nabwera’s concerns stem from Oloo’s recent appointment as a presidential advisor, raising questions about his impartiality in representing the diverse interests of the public while serving on the IEBC Selection Panel.
“Congratulations to all who have made it to the list but I’m a bit skeptical about my colleague, Prof. Adams Oloo. I think a few weeks ago he got appointed as an advisor of the president.
“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,” he said.
Yesterday, a section of Azimio leaders, led by Wiper party boss Kalonzo Musyoka also said the nomination of Adams Oloo to the panel is against the law.
Kalonzo argued that there could be a plot to delay the reconstitution of the electoral agency with only two years and six months to the August 2027 polls.
Addressing congregants at Eden Gospel Trumpets in Kawangware during a church service, Kalonzo implored on Dr Oloo to choose between retaining the position of the presidential advisor and service at the panel.
“There could be a plot to derail the reconstitution of the IEBC. I want to ask Dr Oloo to relinquish his position as a presidential advisor and remain in the selection panel. We know they don’t want this reconstitution of the IEBC,” charged Kalonzo. “Let us not give them an excuse to prolong the process. We know their game plan and we shall not allow them.”
Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru lift the lid on what he termed as violation of the law if Oloo was going to sit in the panel yet he is an employee in the Office of the President, a move he argued amounts to a conflict of interest.
“The law is clear on holding public office and sitting in the selection panel. Oloo cannot be a presidential advisor and at the same time hold another public office,” said Njiru.
Njiru, a close ally of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, now wants the University of Nairobi don to step down in one of the positions.
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However, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna clarified that Oloo was nominated by Azimio to represent them in the panel before Ruto picked some of the Orange party members as experts in his government.
According to Sifuna, the nomination of Oloo was done way before even the court case and urged for speedy resolution of the impasse.
In December 2024, President William Ruto appointed Oloo as the Strategy and Communication Advisor within the President’s Council of Economic Advisors.
In this capacity, he serves as the Strategy and Communication Adviser, 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 a trusted advisor to Raila Odinga for many years, playing pivotal roles in his political endeavors.
Additionally, Oloo served on the National Dialogue Committee’s technical team, contributing to efforts aimed at fostering national unity and political stability.
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