Nationwide by-elections are currently underway across four key electoral areas in Kenya this Thursday, February 26, 2026. As voting continues, the political temperature remains high, with major coalitions treating these mini-polls as a critical litmus test for their influence ahead of the next general cycle. From the early opening of polling stations at 6:00 AM, thousands of voters have turned out in Isiolo South, West Kabras (Kakamega), and the wards of Evurore and Muminji (Embu) to elect their new representatives.
Isiolo South: The Sibling Showdown
The most captivating race of today’s elections is undoubtedly in Isiolo South. The parliamentary seat, which became vacant following the death of the late MP Bidu Mohamed Tubi, has produced a unique family battle that has split the constituency.
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Bina Tubi (Jubilee Party): The daughter of the late MP is running on a platform of continuity, aiming to preserve her father’s political legacy under the Jubilee banner.
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Tubi Mohamed (UDA): Her brother has taken a different route, securing the ticket for the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and promising a fresh start for the region.
Local elders and analysts are closely watching this “house divided” to see if the traditional party strongholds can withstand the aggressive push of the ruling coalition.
The Battle for the Wards: Kakamega and Embu
Beyond the parliamentary level, the nationwide by-elections at the ward level are proving equally intense.
West Kabras Ward (Kakamega County)
In Malava, West Kabras Ward is seeing a crowded field of nine candidates. The contest is a significant barometer for the popularity of the ANC and ODM in Western Kenya. As voting continues, residents have identified local infrastructure and agricultural support as their top priorities.
Evurore and Muminji Wards (Embu County)
In Mbeere North, the UDA is looking to consolidate its power through the dual by-elections in Evurore and Muminji. UDA Chairperson Cecily Mbarire has been a constant presence on the campaign trail, expressing confidence that their candidates—Duncan Mukang’u Jnr and Peterson Njeru Njiru—will deliver a clean sweep for the party.
Technology and Transparency
A key highlight of today’s by-elections is the performance of the Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS). The IEBC has confirmed that the kits are functioning at near-optimal levels, with no major reports of biometric identification failure.
“We have deployed our most robust technical support teams to ensure that as voting continues, every Kenyan’s vote is identified and recorded accurately,” stated an IEBC official at the Siakago tallying center.
Timeline and Results Expectations
The schedule for today’s nationwide by-elections remains on track:
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5:00 PM: Polling stations are scheduled to close nationwide.
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8:00 PM: Provisional results for the ward seats (West Kabras, Evurore, and Muminji) are expected to start trickling in.
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Friday Morning: The final declaration for the Isiolo South parliamentary seat is anticipated due to the vastness of the constituency.
Security and Peace
As voting continues, the Ministry of Interior has maintained a heavy security presence in all four areas to deter voter bribery and intimidation. While the stakes are high for the political parties involved, the conduct of the electorate has remained largely peaceful, a positive sign for the country’s democratic stability.
