- Appearing before the 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.
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.
Ndolo is expected to appear before the commission next Monday.