Editor's Review

IEBC has summoned UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar to appear before its Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee over remarks he allegedly made about deceased voters participating in elections.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has summoned UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar to appear before its Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee over remarks he allegedly made about deceased voters participating in elections.

In a notice on Wednesday, October 14, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon said Omar was required to appear before the committee on October 21 at Anniversary Towers in Nairobi.

IEBC said the summons followed statements Omar allegedly made during a public rally in Mombasa County on September 11 concerning voting by deceased voters.

"The summons arises from statements allegedly made by the former Senator at a public rally in Mombasa County on 11th September 2026 on voting by deceased voters. The matter was brought to the Commission's attention and is being considered under the Electoral Code of Conduct set out in the Second Schedule of the Elections Act, 2011," the statement read.

IEBC clarified that the summons was intended to give Omar an opportunity to respond to the allegations before the committee reached a decision.

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"The summons gives the former Senator an opportunity to respond to the allegations, in keeping with the right to fair administrative action and the right to be heard. The Committee will make its determination only after considering the material and representations before it. The Commission expects the former Senator to honour the summons and cooperate with the proceedings," the statement added.

IEBC further maintained that it would handle the matter independently and impartially, adding that anyone appearing before the committee would be given a fair opportunity to present their case.

"The Commission will continue to act independently and impartially and will take appropriate action on credible complaints of breaches of the Code. All persons appearing before the Committee will be given a fair opportunity to present their case," the statement further read.

File image of UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar Hassan

IEBC called on political players and other participants to promote peaceful political engagement, tolerance and respect for the law as the country prepares for the next general election.

"With the 2027 General Election approaching, the Commission urges political leaders, candidates, supporters and all other participants to exercise restraint and responsibility in their public utterances and conduct.

"It calls on them to help build an electoral environment founded on peace, tolerance, respect for the rule of law and democratic participation," the statement concluded.

This comes days after the High Court in Nairobi dismissed an application filed by Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria challenging proceedings and a determination by the Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee.

In a statement, Ethekon said the judgment was delivered on Thursday, October 8.

"The Court expressly found that the application had not met the threshold for the grant of the judicial review orders sought and consequently dismissed the application, with no orders as to costs. The Court further discharged the temporary orders that had been issued on 15th July 2026," the statement read.

The electoral commission welcomed the court's decision, saying enforcement of the Electoral Code of Conduct remained part of its constitutional and statutory mandate.

"The Commission welcomes the determination of the Court and reiterates that the enforcement of the Electoral Code of Conduct is an integral part of the Commission's constitutional and statutory mandate to safeguard the integrity of elections and electoral processes," the statement added.

Following the dismissal of Gikaria's judicial review application and the discharge of the temporary orders, the commission directed the MP to comply with the sanctions issued by the Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee on July 14, 2026.

The determination required Gikaria to pay a Ksh2.5 million fine and issue a public apology and retraction. 

The matter was also referred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for investigations into possible election offences.