UDA SG Hassan Omar defends ‘dead voters’ remarks, tells IEBC he owes no apology

United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Hassan Omar says he owes no apology for his controversial remarks on having the dead vote for President William Ruto to ensure a win in the 2027 poll, which appeared to suggest that the fingerprints of deceased Kenyans could be used to cast ballots in favour of the Head of State in next year’s elections.

Appearing before the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) disciplinary committee on Wednesday, Omar insisted his remarks had been taken out of context, arguing that he had used a metaphor to urge Coastal residents to turn out in large numbers to register as voters.

“Hata mtu akiwa amekufa tuchukuwe kidole chake kabla hatujamzika kutoka kwa ile BVR tupige kura yake,” Omar had said on September 11 in Mombasa.

“These words encouraged the unlawful use of the biometric to facilitate voting in the names of the deceased,” argued IEBC Advocate Nancy Koros on Wednesday.

The unapologetic Omar said he had used metaphors to convey his message to Coast residents, who, he said, understood his intended meaning.

“Lingual diversity… what is said in Mombasa may not be offensive,” Omar responded.

Omar’s advocate Kibet Kirui added, “Figuratively, that meant not even death can keep you away from voting. It was a message for the living that if the dead can imagine voting, what stops you from voting?”

“The message the respondent was conveying was within the context that the residents have not been turning up in large numbers to register.”

While IEBC maintains the remarks violated electoral guidelines, Omar insists he has no regrets, arguing that UDA enjoys a popularity advantage over its rivals ahead of the 2027 General Election and has no reason to engage in electoral malpractice.

“I hold the fact that there was nothing wrong said… I cannot jeopardize an election that is just a formality that we will win… we are on the verge of victory,” Omar noted.

The former Mombasa Senator now awaits the IEBC disciplinary committee’s decision.

Meanwhile, former Makadara MP Reuben Ndolo has been summoned by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) over remarks he made on Sunday claiming to have transported goons to disrupt political rallies.