The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has officially found United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary-General Hassan Omar in breach of the Electoral Code of Conduct.
The ruling follows controversial statements he made during a public rally in Mombasa County, where he said that even dead Voters will vote for President Dr William Samoei Arap Ruto in 2027 general elections.
The disciplinary proceedings stemmed from remarks delivered on September 11, 2026, where Omar allegedly made references invoking a deceased person’s biometric identifiers to facilitate voting.
Following public uproar and subsequent summons, Omar honored an appearance before the commission’s committee accompanied by his legal counsel.
During his defense, he explained that his utterances were meant figuratively—using the Swahili phrase “kwa hivyo sisi tutajitokeza kwa fujo”—to encourage massive voter turnout and participation rather than advocate for electoral malpractices.
However, in its formal determination, the IEBC committee noted that when evaluated in their original Kiswhahili context and ordinary meaning, the statements crossed the line by invoking the use of deceased identifiers.
The electoral body underlined that such language violates paragraphs 6(k)(i) and 6(l) of the Electoral Code of Conduct, which obligate political players to reassure citizens of ballot integrity.
Opting against immediate disqualification or suspension, the commission issued a formal, stern warning and placed Omar on strict notice. The IEBC cautioned that any subsequent recurrence of similar remarks will attract harsher statutory sanctions.
As political realignments intensify ahead of the 2027 General Election, the electoral agency has taken the opportunity to remind all political actors, parties, and supporters to exercise utmost responsibility, guard the sanctity of the ballot, and refrain from speech that undermines public confidence in democratic processes.
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