The High Court is set to determine the fate of Professor Adams Oloo’s appointment to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Selection Panel, with Judge Chacha Mwita expected to deliver his ruling in October.
The case, filed by Senior Counsel Apollo Mboya, challenges Oloo’s eligibility on grounds of conflict of interest. Mboya argues that Oloo’s past role as an advisor to President William Ruto raises concerns about impartiality. “He cannot fairly represent the legislature while having ties to the executive,” Mboya stated in court on Friday.
In response, Oloo, through his legal team, has defended his appointment, asserting that he resigned from his presidential advisory role before taking up his position in the selection panel. His lawyer dismissed the petition as unfounded, claiming that the petitioner had failed to provide substantial evidence of conflict.
The controversy surrounding Oloo’s appointment has persisted since he was sworn in on January 27, alongside Kiome Lindah Gakii, James Evans Misati, Nicodemus Kipchirchir Bore, Amb. Koki Muli Grignon, and Carolene Kituku. Oloo has consistently denied any wrongdoing, emphasizing that his resignation from the advisory role eliminates any basis for the conflict-of-interest claim.
The upcoming court decision is expected to clarify the legal boundaries regarding appointments to independent commissions and could influence future selections to sensitive government panels.
