Voting is underway in four electoral areas across Kenya as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission conducts by-elections in Isiolo South Constituency and three county assembly wards in Kakamega County and Embu County.
Polling stations opened at 6 a.m. and are scheduled to close at 5 p.m., with voters in the queue at closing time allowed to cast their ballots. The commission confirmed that electoral materials, including ballot papers and biometric identification kits, were dispatched earlier in the week and that presiding officers and clerks reported to their respective stations ahead of the exercise.
Security has been significantly reinforced. The National Police Service has deployed officers to polling stations and tallying centres, part of a broader effort to deter voter intimidation and prevent disruptions that have marred some previous by-elections. Election officials have reiterated restrictions on campaigning within polling centres and the prohibition on displaying party materials near voting areas.
The parliamentary contest in Isiolo South has drawn national attention due to a rare sibling rivalry. Tubi Muhammad Tubi, running on a ticket of the United Democratic Alliance, faces his younger sister, Tubi Bina Muhammad, who is contesting under the Jubilee Party banner. The seat fell vacant following the death of their father, the late area MP.
The race gained additional political weight after another candidate withdrew shortly before the campaign deadline and endorsed the UDA contender, in a move widely interpreted as consolidating support aligned with President William Ruto.
In West Kabras Ward in Kakamega County, and in Muminji and Evurore wards in Embu County, contests for Member of County Assembly positions are seen as tests of local mobilisation capacity. In Embu, UDA candidates are considered frontrunners after several opposition-leaning parties opted not to field candidates.
Although limited in geographic scope, today’s by-elections carry broader political significance. They are being viewed as an early indicator of grassroots strength for the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition and the United Opposition bloc ahead of the 2027 general election cycle.
Vote counting will commence immediately after polls close, with results announced at constituency and ward tallying centres before transmission to the national results portal. Electoral observers and party agents are present at polling stations, and the IEBC has pledged to ensure transparency and strict adherence to electoral law throughout the process.
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