Isiolo South by-election: IEBC bars voters from using phones at booths
By Nancy Marende, February 25, 2026The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has barred voters from carrying mobile phones into voting booths during the upcoming Isiolo South by-election set for February 26, 2026, citing the need to safeguard the secrecy of the ballot.
Speaking ahead of the distribution of election materials to their respective polling stations in Isiolo on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, IEBC Commissioner Moses Mukhwana said the decision follows incidents in recent by-elections where some voters accessed polling booths with their phones and took photographs of marked ballot papers.
“Wakenya wana mambo. The Constitution guarantees the secrecy of the ballot. That is why we have the booth. Unfortunately, in recent by-elections, some Kenyans were accessing the booth with their phones and then taking pictures of the ballot. That is a violation of the Constitution and the Elections Act.”
He noted that the Commission has put in place administrative measures to prevent voters from entering the booth with mobile phones.
According to Mukhwana, polling officials will ensure a secure system in which voters can leave their phones before casting their ballots.
“What we have said is this: at our own level, administratively, we will have a way of ensuring that voters do not access the booth with their phones. Even if you have a phone, there will be a secure way where you can leave your phone, go vote, and after voting, pick your phone again,” he said.
The commissioner emphasised that the directive is aimed at upholding constitutional requirements and maintaining public confidence in the electoral process.
“We are ensuring that the constitutional requirement on the secrecy of the ballot is maintained,” he added.
The by-election
The Isiolo South parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of Tubi Bidu Mohamed, who died while receiving treatment at the Nairobi Hospital.
In a message to the nation, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula confirmed the passing of the first-term lawmaker on Wednesday evening, November 12, 2025, describing it as a great loss to Parliament and the country.
“It is with profound deep sorrow that I inform you and the nation of the demise of our esteemed colleague, the Member for Isiolo South Constituency, the Tubi Bidu Mohamed, MP, who has left us this evening, Wednesday, November 12, 2025, while receiving treatment at the Nairobi Hospital,” Wetang’ula stated.
The much-anticipated by-election is a race between Tubi Mohammed Tubi is vying for a UDA ticket, while his sister, Bina Tubi, will run on a Jubilee Party ticket.