Sibling Showdown: UDA’s Tubi Mohamed Triumphs Over Sister Bina in Explosive Isiolo South By-Election
In a dramatic family feud turned political battlefield, Tubi Mohamed Tubi of President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has clinched the Isiolo South MP seat, decisively defeating his own sister Bina Tubi of Jubilee Party.
This by-election sparked by the death of their father, the late MP Mohammed Tubi in November 2025 drew national attention for pitting blood against ambition in Kenya’s volatile northern politics.
A House Divided: The Tubi Family’s Political Chess Match
Tubi Mohamed romped home with a landslide, though exact tallies underscored UDA’s dominance after rival Isaac Fayo (NEDP) withdrew to back him, turning it into a straight sibling duel.
Bina, endorsed by Jubilee just weeks after UDA picked her brother, trailed far behind, her camp crying foul over alleged bribery and irregularities at polling stations like Kina Primary.
Tubi Mohamed, speaking post-vote at Algani, shrugged off the family rift: “Siasa haitambui ndugu ama dada” (Politics doesn’t recognize siblings or sisters), crediting elders’ backing.
“Unajua siasa haitambui ndugu ama dada. Kuna mambo mingi kwa siasa. Kama mimi wazee ndiyo waliniekelea mkono,” he said, suggesting elders had endorsed his candidature.
Voter turnout hovered at a dismal 30%, signaling apathy amid rugged terrain and rainy weather in Sericho, Garbatula, and Kinna wards.
Power Plays: UDA’s Machine Rolls in Marginal Heartlands
UDA’s win wasn’t luck campaigns featured heavy hitters like Petroleum PS Mohamed Liban, Sports Fund CEO Nur Ibrahim, and NGEC chair Rehema Jaldesa, framing Tubi as the heir to honor his father’s legacy while delivering Ruto’s northern development push.
Clan elders and MPs rallied early, tying the seat to broader fights like cattle rustling and security in Merti. Jubilee’s counter fell flat; Bina’s grassroots appeal couldn’t match UDA’s star power or Fayo’s concession post-Ruto meet.
Kithure Kindiki later congratulated Tubi, signaling high-level buy-in. Nation noted elders’ nod as the “heavy bolster.”
Bigger Picture: Dynasty Politics, Voter Fatigue, and 2027 Signals
Isiolo South exemplifies Kenya’s fusion of family legacies and party machines. The Tubis inherited a seat their father held, but UDA’s sweep tests Ruto’s grip on arid lands key for 2027 amid economic woes and Gen Z unrest.
Low turnout flags deeper issues: insecurity, poor infrastructure, and youth disillusionment in ASAL regions.
Critics decry “checkmate politics,” where parties poach family rivals to split votes, eroding merit.
Yet Tubi’s vow to “bring justice to Ruto’s government” hints at infrastructure, security, and equity fights ahead. IEBC and County Commissioner David Kiprop affirmed a clean process, dismissing Jubilee gripes.
Road Ahead for Isiolo South—and Kenya
As Tubi Mohamed takes oath, eyes turn to delivery: Will he tackle rustling, water scarcity, and devolution snags plaguing Isiolo? This by-election previews northern realignments, where UDA eyes total dominance. For Bina and Jubilee, it’s a regroup—or fade into irrelevance. Kenya’s politics: where family ties bend, but power never breaks.