Voting in the Isiolo South Constituency and Mbeere North Wards (Muminji and Evuvori) kicked off smoothly Thursday morning, with polling stations opening at 6:00am with a handful of voters participating in the exercise.
In Isiolo, a spot check by KBC yesterday revealed that security had been heightened in and around Garbatulla High School, which has been designated as the tallying centre for today’s by-election.
Siblings Tubi Mohammed of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Jubilee’s Bina Tubi are squaring off in the race.
On Wednesday, they witnessed officials from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) break the seals of the ballot boxes.
The seat fell vacant following the death of former area lawmaker Mohamed Tubi Bidu, the father of the two candidates, in November last year.
Meanwhile, IEBC confirmed that voters will not access the voting booth with their phones on Thursday.
Speaking in Isiolo south Constituency IEBC Commissioner Dr. Moses Mukhwana stated that voters in Isiolo South and the various by elections taking place in different wards will have to surrender their phones to IEBC officials before electing their new representatives.
Commissioner Mukhwana noted that the phones will be secured to ensure that voters adhere to Article 38 section 3B of the constitution that stipulates the secrecy of the ballot. The IEBC Commissioner noted that the electoral body resorted to such measures following the conduct of some voters during the 27 November 2025 by elections where those participating in the exercise were taking pictures of their ballot papers after voting and posting it on social media.
Mukhwana noted that IEBC officials will put in place administrative control measures to ensure the exercise is free, fair and credible.
Isiolo South Returning officer Abdi Sheikh confirmed that IEBC officials were rigorously trained on the measures noting that any act that compromises the secrecy of the ballot undermines the integrity of the electoral process, Exposes Voters to undue influence, Coercion and Vote buying which constitutes an electoral offence.
Commissioner Mukhwana further noted that the electoral body is worried about the turnout owing the drought situation and Muslims observing the Holy month of Ramadan.
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