Recent public accusations have placed Irene Adika at the center of controversy over the alleged re-employment of Adel Ottoman Odhiambo as a Director in the Homa Bay County Health Department. The claims question her role as a senior HR officer and raise concerns about how such an appointment could have been approved.
The issue gained momentum after a Facebook post by Newton Kapiyo directly called out Adika, accusing her of facilitating what he described as an illegal re-employment.
His remarks sharply questioned her professional ethics and training, adding to the growing public attention around the matter.
The controversy is further amplified by Odhiambo’s past legal troubles. In March 2026, the High Court in Nairobi ordered him to refund about KSh 10.9 million following a case by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
The court found that he had held two public jobs at the same time, including a position at the Kenya Medical Training College, which violated public service rules.
Against this background, the alleged decision to bring him back into a senior role has raised serious questions about judgment and adherence to hiring procedures within the county.
As a senior HR official, Adika is expected to ensure that all recruitment processes meet legal and ethical standards, especially in a sensitive department like health.
Adika has previously been linked to key HR functions in Homa Bay County, including overseeing staffing and workforce management.
Her position places her at the center of major employment decisions, making her role critical in ensuring transparency and accountability.
The situation has now intensified scrutiny on Adika’s professional conduct and the processes followed in the alleged appointment, as debate grows around accountability and integrity in county hiring decisions.
