The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party won all the three seats in Mt Kenya region in by-elections characterised by low voter turnout.
The party won the Isiolo South parliamentary seat and two wards in Mbeere North, Embu county.
In Isiolo, the sibling rivalry came to an end on Friday night after Mohamed Tubi of UDA was declared winner with 7,352 votes.
Tubi, 36, the son of the late MP Tubi Bidu Mohamed, beat his elder sister Bina Mohamed of Jubilee Party, who got 634 votes. The National Economic Development Party’s Isaack Fayo, who dropped out of the race, got 44 votes.
Isiolo South Returning Officer Abdi Sheikh announced the result based on votes from 60 out of 61 polling stations, as votes from Garbatulla Day Secondary School were invalidated due to an irregularity.
The Isiolo South by-election was characterised by a low voter turnout with residents and officials attributing it to apathy and the Ramadhan season.
Mr Tubi said he was focused on securing his father’s legacy.
“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,” Mr Tubi said, extending an olive branch to his sister.
In Mbeere North, the united opposition was dealt a significant setback when UDA won the Evurore and Muminji wards.
In Evurore, Duncan Muratia polled 7,853 votes while his closest rival Albert Kigoro of the Democratic Party DP garnered 1,940 votes. Johson Mate (Independent) came third with 1,753.
In Muminji, Peterson Njeru (UDA) polled 3,207 votes while Boniface Kariuki of Devolution Empowerment Party (DEP) came second with 2,232 votes.
The by-elections pitted the Kenya Kwanza government against the former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua-led united opposition.
The February 26 polls were the second test for President William Ruto and Mr Gachagua in Mt Kenya region, ahead of the 2027 general election.
Last year, the UDA narrowly defeated the opposition in the hotly contested Mbeere North parliamentary by-election.
In these second-round polls, the opposition has once again been humiliated.
Dr Ruto, whose popularity in the region has waned following Gachagua’s impeachment, is seeking to reassert his authority and control over the Mt Kenya region, which is rich in votes.
You can follow the blog for the updates below.
About the Author
