Nominated IEBC Commissioner Hassan Noor Hassan has clarified his relationship with Suna East Member of Parliament, Junet Mohamed.
Appearing before the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) for his vetting on Saturday, May 31, Hassan was questioned about his ties to the legislator.
In response to the ongoing allegations and the question posed by the Committee, he confirmed that he is Junet's brother-in-law.
“I am related to Junet Mohamed. I am his brother-in-law. Mr Chairman, As a brother-in-law, I existed long before Junet,” he responded.
This confirmation comes after opposition leaders, including Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, raised concerns on May 13 about the IEBC selection process.
Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka claimed that some nominees and selection panel members have close ties to President William Ruto and other government officials.
Specifically, they alleged that Hassan's nomination was influenced by his relationship with Junet to extend the panel's selection period.
The opposition further argued that the recruitment process was flawed and politically influenced, thereby undermining public trust in the electoral body.
According to the members, the new IEBC committee selection process was marred by a breach of impartiality and was seen as an attempt by President Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to rig the upcoming 2027 General Election.
"From the outset, the recruitment process was flawed. The selection panel was a political extension of the State House, stuffed with Ruto's loyalists and backroom advisors."
"The constitutional principles of consultation, public participation, and political neutrality were completely discarded. The result? A compromised commission lacking integrity, legitimacy, and public trust," the statement by opposition leaders stated.
Hassan Noor Hassan, Ann Njeri Nderitu (Registrar of Political Parties), Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah were nominated on May 8, 2025, by the President to serve as members of the commission.
Erastus Ethekon Edung was nominated as the IEBC chairperson, following the recommendations of a Selection Panel on the recruitment of nominees for the positions, which was chaired by Nelson Makanda.
