Hassan Omar sparks controversy with remarks on deceased voters

United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary-General Hassan Omar has sparked significant controversy following remarks regarding the 2027 General Election. Speaking at a political gathering in Mombasa, Omar suggested that the fingerprints of deceased registered voters should be collected before burial and used in the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) system to cast votes for President William Ruto.

The comments have drawn sharp criticism from various political figures and civil society groups. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna have called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to provide clarity on how the agency intends to clean the voter register and prevent such manipulation. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi also warned that such rhetoric could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

These developments occur amid heightened scrutiny of Kenya's voter register. Transparency International Kenya has previously called for a comprehensive audit to ensure deceased individuals are removed from the rolls to maintain electoral integrity.