Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) nominee Hassan Noor Hassan has pointed to his leadership during the 2007 post-election violence in Rift Valley as a testament to his crisis management skills and public service record.
Appearing before the National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee on Saturday, Hassan, a former Rift Valley Provincial Commissioner, recounted how he played a pivotal role in de-escalating tensions in the region ahead of and after the disputed presidential election.
“When I took up the role, the region was already tense. There had been a lot of conflict in areas like Molo, Turkana, Samburu, and Trans Nzoia. We managed to bring the conflict down before the elections,” he told the committee.
The 2007 post-election crisis remains one of Kenya’s darkest chapters, with widespread violence and displacement following the announcement of contested poll results.
Hassan said his involvement in coordinating peace and response efforts helped prevent further bloodshed in the Rift Valley, which was one of the hardest-hit areas during the unrest.
In recognition of his efforts, Hassan said he received national commendation.
“I was awarded the best public officer of the year in 2007. I got the Kenya National Human Rights Commission award as the best public servant of the year in the way we managed conflict in the province at that time,” he said.
The nominee used the experience to illustrate his readiness to serve at the IEBC, stressing that managing a volatile situation required strong leadership, neutrality, and a deep understanding of Kenya’s political landscape.
Hassan’s testimony was part of a wider vetting process that also touched on his past corruption allegations—of which he was acquitted—and his family ties to Suna East MP Junet Mohamed.
As scrutiny continues over the suitability of the IEBC nominees, Hassan Noor’s crisis leadership in 2007 is emerging as a key pillar in his case for appointment to the electoral commission.
By Kenyans