United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary-General Hassan Omar has found himself at the center of an electoral storm following controversial remarks suggesting that the party would mobilize deceased individuals to vote for President William Ruto in the upcoming 2027 General Election.
Speaking at a political gathering in Jomvu, Mombasa, Omar claimed supporters would take the fingerprints of the deceased prior to burial to bypass the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) verification system.
“Two-term William Ruto, on election day, we too will be in a do-or-die battle. Even if someone has died, we should take their finger before we bury them, put it into the BVR and cast a vote,” Omar declared during his speech.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) dismissed the remarks as technologically impossible and dangerous. Commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana stated that the commission’s biometric systems rely on live verification features and warned that politicians making reckless claims are “crossing the line” and eroding public trust. The IEBC has subsequently summoned Omar.
Opposition figures and election observers strongly condemned the remarks, demanding accountability and urging the electoral commission to take legal action to protect public confidence ahead of 2027.
Government representatives disowned the SG’s statement, emphasizing that the administration does not support shortcuts or electoral manipulation.
Following the backlash, Omar backtracked, stating his remarks were taken out of context. He clarified that he intended to emphasize the critical importance of maximum voter turnout, registration, and political participation among living supporters in the coastal region.
Despite his clarification, election monitors warn that reckless rhetoric surrounding voter registers damages democratic credibility as the country approaches the 2027 polls.
