Brother Defeats Sister in Rare Kenyan Parliamentary Family Rivalry
Isiolo, 27 February 2026
Mohamed Tubi secured victory in Kenya’s Isiolo South by-election on 26 February 2026, defeating his elder sister Bina Mohamed in an extraordinary sibling political contest. Tubi claimed 7,352 votes under the UDA banner whilst his sister managed just 634 votes for Jubilee Party. The election highlighted traditional clan influence in Northern Kenya politics, with Tubi benefiting from early endorsements by local elders following their father’s funeral. Voter turnout remained disappointingly low at 14-16%, attributed to Ramadan observance and drought-related population displacement affecting the pastoralist community.
Electoral Irregularities and Low Participation
The by-election results were marked by significant administrative challenges and exceptionally poor voter engagement. Isiolo South Returning Officer Abdi Sheikh invalidated votes from Garbatulla Day Secondary School due to irregularities, where 261 votes were recorded on Form 35A but only 161 were validated by the KIEMS electronic system [1]. This discrepancy highlighted ongoing concerns about electoral integrity in Kenya’s remote constituencies. The broader electoral picture revealed alarming voter apathy, with IEBC Commissioner Hassan Noor reporting turnout rates of up to 30% at most polling stations [1]. Election observer Fredrick Ojiro from the Vocal Africa Election Observation Group provided more precise figures, stating that “in most of the stations we have visited, the turnout is between 14 and 16 per cent, which is too low” [1]. The low participation was attributed to multiple factors affecting the pastoralist community.
Drought and Ramadan Impact Voter Turnout
The timing of the by-election coincided with significant challenges for Isiolo South’s predominantly pastoralist population. Hassan Noor explained that “the turnout is largely attributed to observance of the month of Ramadhan. Due to the draught situation, many people have also relocated” [1]. This dual impact of religious observance and environmental displacement severely affected democratic participation in the constituency. The drought conditions had forced many residents to migrate from their traditional voting areas, particularly affecting Kinna Ward where voting was disrupted by resident migration [1]. Fredrick Ojiro noted that by noon on election day, “there were no voters in the queues”, pointing to “the effects of drought, insufficient sensitisation and a lack of motivation among voters” [1]. These environmental and social factors demonstrated the complex challenges facing electoral democracy in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid regions.
Family Legacy and Traditional Endorsements
The contest represented more than a simple parliamentary race, embodying questions of political succession and family legacy in Northern Kenya’s clan-based society. The seat had fallen vacant following the death of Mohamed Tubi Bidu on 12 November 2025, whilst receiving medical treatment in Nairobi [2]. Bidu had been elected in the August 2022 General Election on a Jubilee Party ticket and was widely regarded as a prominent local leader [2]. Both Mohamed Tubi and his sister Bina Mohamed are children of the late former MP Mohamed Tubi, creating a rare case of sibling rivalry in Kenyan politics [2]. Despite sharing the same political lineage and family background, neither candidate was willing to step aside, setting the stage for an intense battle that dominated local political discourse [2]. Tubi’s victory was significantly strengthened by endorsements from clan elders received after his father’s funeral, alongside support from senior politicians in Isiolo county [1].
Electoral Mathematics and Regional Context
The final results demonstrated Tubi’s overwhelming dominance in the constituency’s political landscape. Against Isiolo South’s total of 22,181 registered voters [2], Tubi secured 33.145 of the registered electorate, whilst his sister Bina managed only 2.858 [1][2]. The third candidate, Isaack Fayo of the National Economic Development Party, received a mere 44 votes, highlighting the contest’s bipolar nature between the siblings [1]. Tubi expressed satisfaction with the outcome despite the challenges, stating: “I am very pleased that we had a smooth by-election despite the low voter turnout. I thank the people of Isiolo for believing in me” [1]. The February 2026 by-elections extended beyond Isiolo South, with simultaneous ward-level contests in Kakamega County’s West Kabras Ward and two wards in Embu County’s Mbeere North Constituency [2]. This broader electoral exercise reflected ongoing political transitions across Kenya’s diverse regional constituencies, each shaped by distinct local dynamics and challenges.