Court to deliver verdict in October on petition against Adams Oloo's appointment to IEBC panel

High Court Judge Chacha Mwita will deliver his verdict in October on a petition challenging the appointment of Prof. Adams Oloo to the IEBC Selection Panel. 

During submissions on Friday, Professor Oloo, through his lawyer, argued that the petition lacks merit and should be dismissed.

The court also heard that Oloo had already resigned and that the petitioner had failed to provide sufficient evidence to support their claims. 

However, Senior Counsel Apollo Mboya, the petitioner, maintained that Oloo’s appointment should be quashed, citing a conflict of interest.

"There's conflict of interest that he's serving two positions at the presidency as a member of selection panel representing the legislature," Mboya said.

Oloo has been dismissing calls for his resignation ever since he was sworn into the panel on January 27, alongside Kiome Lindah Gakii, James Evans Misati, Nicodemus Kipchirchir Bore, Amb Koki Muli Grignon and Carolene Kituku.

According to Oloo, he has long resigned as President William Ruto’s advisor.

Prof. Oloo cited his two appointments: one on December 20, 2024, as an advisor and member of the President’s Council of Economic Advisors.

His subsequent nomination was by the Public Service Commission (PSC) to the selection panel for the recruitment of nominees for the appointment of the chairperson and members of the IEBC.

In a letter dated February 11, 2025, Prof. Oloo noted that he consulted the head of state after his name was forwarded for official gazettement as part of the IEBC selection panel and resigned as his advisor.

“That resignation is contained in a letter dated January 24, 2025,” Oloo said in his statement.

In his resignation letter, Oloo says he preferred his quest to ‘getting the IEBC right’- a move he argues, is critical for the country’s democracy.