Hassan Noor Hassan, a nominee for the position of IEBC Commissioner, found himself under intense scrutiny on Saturday, May 31, as he appeared before the National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee. At the center of questioning was his familial relationship with Suna East MP Junet Mohamed and its potential implications on the integrity of forming a new electoral commission.
Pressed on the matter, Hassan openly confirmed the relationship, stating:
“I am related to Hon. Junet Mohamed. I am his brother-in-law. As his brother-in-law, I existed long before Junet was born.”
Despite this admission, Hassan argued that the relationship had no bearing on his suitability for the IEBC position, portraying it as irrelevant to the commission’s operations or independence.
The session took a more somber turn as the committee revisited the 2007/08 post-election violence—a dark chapter in Kenya’s history. At the time, Hassan served as the Rift Valley Provincial Commissioner, overseeing one of the regions most devastated by the chaos.
Reflecting on that turbulent period, Hassan told the committee he played a central role in efforts to restore order. He firmly pointed a finger at political actors for the unrest:
Hassan blamed the post-election violence on rogue politicians who incited the public.
He emphasized his commitment to peace and institutional integrity, seeking to assure the panel that his past experiences and affiliations would not compromise his impartiality as a future commissioner
