In a revelation that sent shockwaves across Kenya’s political and civic landscape, Hassan Noor Hassan, recently nominated as a commissioner of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), admitted during his vetting that he is the brother-in-law of Suna East MP Junet Mohammed.
This confession confirms long-held suspicions about a possible political alliance behind the scenes. With mounting pressure from opposition figures and civil society, Kenyans now ask, can Hassan Noor remain impartial? Or is his appointment a calculated move to rig the 2027 general election?
Are Junet and Hassan Noor relatives? How this family link threatens IEBC independence
During his vetting before the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) on May 31, Hassan Noor did not dodge the question. “I am related to Junet Mohammed. I am his brother-in-law,” he said clearly. “Mr. Chairman, as a brother-in-law, I existed long before Junet.”
The blunt admission confirmed what many feared. Junet Mohammed is one of the most powerful political operatives in Kenya. He has close ties to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and deep influence within the Azimio coalition.
His proximity to the IEBC through Hassan Noor now raises serious concerns about the commission’s ability to remain neutral. Critics, especially from the opposition, are not buying the narrative of coincidence.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka was quick to point out the dangers of political infiltration into Kenya’s electoral body. He warned that Noor’s nomination, along with others, shows a growing trend of politicizing the IEBC under President William Ruto’s administration.
Kalonzo and other opposition voices claim the selection panel itself was compromised. They argue that it was filled with Ruto loyalists and that its outcomes were meant to give the executive control over future elections. The claim?
That Hassan Noor’s presence is part of a wider plan to rig the 2027 elections—using blood ties and political favors to undermine voter confidence and tilt the process before it begins. These are not empty fears. The IEBC has long battled credibility issues.
Kenya’s history of disputed elections, court interventions, and post-election violence makes every appointment in the commission a matter of national interest. The inclusion of someone so closely tied to Junet, who is both politically active and divisive, doesn’t help matters.
Supporters of Hassan Noor claim he is qualified and should not be judged solely by his family connections. But critics argue that integrity includes both actual performance and the perception of fairness.
In a country where elections are often decided by narrow margins, perception can be just as dangerous as reality.
Was Hassan Noor Hassan’s appointment political or fair?
There’s no question that Hassan Noor has served in government roles before. But that alone doesn’t wipe away the suspicion surrounding his nomination. On May 8, President Ruto appointed him along with five others to serve as IEBC commissioners.
The appointment followed the recommendations of a selection panel chaired by Nelson Makanda. But it is this very panel that the opposition has slammed as biased and politically compromised. The main issue isn’t whether Noor is competent.
It’s whether the process that brought him to power was honest—and whether he can resist political pressure given his connections. Fairness in public appointments isn’t just about skills or resumes. It’s about following the Constitution, honoring public participation, and ensuring there is no undue influence.
Opposition leaders argue that none of these conditions were met. Their joint statement described the IEBC nominations as a complete betrayal of constitutional values and an insult to democracy. Junet, a close ally of Raila Odinga, remains silent on the matter.
But silence doesn’t erase the fact that his brother-in-law could soon oversee elections that involve his own political coalition. It’s a blatant conflict of interest—even if Noor swears loyalty to the Constitution.
Are Junet and Hassan Noor relatives? What this means for the 2027 General Election
Kenya cannot afford another disputed election. The stakes are too high. From county assemblies to the presidency, public faith in the electoral process determines whether the country moves forward or collapses into chaos.
By placing people with political ties in key electoral roles, the government may be sowing the seeds of distrust. Hassan Noor may be honest and capable—but that’s not the point. His relationship with Junet Mohammed casts a long shadow over every decision he will make at the IEBC.
Voters want transparency, not tangled family trees. They want public servants who serve the nation, not private interests. And they deserve a commission that upholds the law, not one that dances to the tune of political bosses.
If Hassan Noor really believes in democracy, he must prove his loyalty with action. That means stepping aside from politically sensitive cases, disclosing any conflicts of interest, and acting with full transparency.
Anything less will feed the growing suspicion that his appointment was not based on merit, but on kinship and politics.
