The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has announced the closure of voting in four by-elections conducted across the country, with counting now underway after what it described as a largely peaceful exercise.

In a statement on February 26, 2026, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon thanked voters in the affected areas for turning out to participate.

The Commission reported that minimal incidents were recorded and were resolved accordingly.

Voting closed at 5:00 pm in Isiolo South Constituency, as well as in Evurore and Muminji wards in Embu County and West Kabras ward in Kakamega County.

The Commission stated that results announced at polling stations are final and will form the basis for constituency-level tallying.

“The Commission expressly and sincerely thanks and lauds the people of the four by-election areas who turned up to vote. Minimal incidents were reported and resolved accordingly,” read the notice in part.

“Voting has now closed in all polling stations and counting is underway. Results announced at the polling station are final.”

Tallying centre access

The IEBC outlined measures governing access to tallying centres, stating that only accredited persons with proper identification and badges would be allowed entry to observe the process.

The Commission urged senior elected leaders and party officials seeking to witness the exercise to respect the integrity of the tallying centres and cooperate with election officials and security personnel.

It cautioned against actions that could disrupt or delay the verification, tallying and announcement of results.

At the polling station level, Presiding Officers opened ballot boxes in the presence of party agents, observers and members of the media.

Votes were counted and tabulated at the station in an open process. Agents present were permitted to take photographs of official results forms, and copies of the forms were pasted at polling stations for public display.

Results management and declaration

Returning Officers yet to receive results from Presiding Officers, verifying the tallies and collating constituency-level outcomes before declaring winners in the presence of accredited agents and stakeholders.

The Commission reminded any aggrieved party that electoral disputes should be addressed through the courts of law.

The notice also noted that the by-election results are accessible to the public through the Commission’s online portal.

The vacancies arose following the death of Isiolo South MP Mohamed Tubi Bidu and the resignation of three Members of County Assembly in Evurore, Muminji and West Kabras wards.

The IEBC called on polling officials to uphold integrity, impartiality and adherence to the Code of Conduct, warning that any breaches under the Election Offences Act would attract firm action.

It pledged to keep the public updated on further developments regarding the by-elections.