A section of opposition leaders has raised concern over remarks attributed to UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar on alleged plans to use deceased Kenyans’ fingerprints to manipulate the 2027 election.
The leaders said the remarks had raised concerns over the integrity of the forthcoming polls, insisting that Kenyans must be assured of a free, fair and credible electoral process.
Speaking at a public rally in Kenol, Murang’a county, Jubilee Party presidential candidate Fred Matiang’i and People’s Party of Kenya (PPK) leader Ndindi Nyoro challenged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to take action over the remarks.
Matiang’i warned that Kenyans would not accept attempts to compromise their constitutional right to choose their leaders.
“We have moved beyond the politics of threatening people. Every Kenyan has freedom and constitutional rights. They have the ability to vote for whoever they want and go anywhere in Kenya that they want.”
He said the opposition would not tolerate attempts to interfere with the vote.
The leaders spoke after attending the Central Kenya Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Kangema before addressing supporters in Kenol, Maragua.
They maintained that protecting the integrity of the 2027 polls would be critical to ensuring a peaceful transition and restoring public confidence in the electoral process.
On September 10, Omar reportedly made remarks in which he suggested that fingerprints of Kenyans who had died could be taken before burial and used to cast votes in their names.
“Even if someone has died right now, let us take his fingerprints before we bury him and put them in the BVR to cast his vote,” Omar said.
Omar also described such votes as a weapon that could be used to demand more development, Cabinet positions and other opportunities, saying political influence could only be secured through numbers.
The remarks have drawn criticism from opposition leaders, who accused the UDA leadership of contemplating ways of compromising the electoral process.
Nyoro said the opposition would not allow anyone to manipulate the vote, maintaining that political parties must not only mobilise voters but also protect ballots cast at polling stations.
“We cannot beat you in looking for votes and then fail to protect our votes,” Nyoro said.
Nyoro further told Omar to prepare for a change of government after the 2027 election, arguing that the opposition would work together to defeat the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“We will vote, and Kenyans themselves will protect their votes,” he said.
The two leaders also intimated that the opposition was focused on forming a government that would address the challenges facing citizens rather than engaging in political infighting.
Matiang’i said he was ready to work with Nyoro, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa and other opposition leaders ahead of the elections.
“I am ready once again to come in and do that work so that our country can move forward properly. And when I come in, I want to come in together with my brothers. First, starting with Ndindi Nyoro,” Matiang’i said.
He dismissed claims that the opposition has no agenda, noting that its objective is to remove the current administration, which he said would only be meaningful if followed by tangible improvements in governance and service delivery.
“We are saying one term, but when they leave, we must bring positive change in education, security, healthcare and other areas,” he said.
On his part, Nyoro pointed an accusing finger at the government over the country's debt, claiming public debt had risen from Sh8.7 trillion in 2022 to nearly Sh14 trillion under President William Ruto.
He said the heavy borrowing by the current administration will leave the next government with a difficult financial burden.
“He is borrowing Sh4 billion every day. What he’s doing is burdening Kenyans with debt so that when he leaves, the incoming government will have problems; he should know that there are people seeking to lead Kenya who understand economic matters”.
“And by the grace of God, we will transform the economy and repay the debts they have incurred,” the MP added.
