Ali Sheikh
Isiolo.
Elders from across Isiolo South have unanimously endorsed Tubi Mohamed Tubi, son of the late MP Mohamed Tubi Bidu, to succeed his father in the forthcoming parliamentary by-election — a move positioned as both a tribute to the fallen leader and an effort to preserve cohesion in the constituency.
The resolution was announced Saturday afternoon by Isiolo Governor Abdi Ibrahim Guyo, who described it as a reflection of the “deep respect our community holds for the late Hon. Tubi’s legacy and our confidence in his son’s ability to carry it forward.”
Bidu, who was serving his first term after his 2022 election, died on November 12 while receiving care at Nairobi Hospital. He was widely respected for championing youth empowerment and education in the arid north.
Before joining Parliament, he served as Speaker of the Isiolo County Assembly (2013–2017), earning accolades for his humility and steady leadership. He was laid to rest Friday at Tullu Roba Muslim Cemetery amid moving tributes from leaders nationwide.
In a statement posted online, Governor Guyo endorsed the elders’ decision and urged other would-be aspirants to “graciously defer their ambitions until the 2027 General Elections,” insisting that the current period calls for “solidarity, not competition.” Any premature political rivalry, he cautioned, risked stirring “unnecessary division” at a time when the community is still grieving.
“We therefore encourage Tubi Mohamed Tubi to proceed unopposed, as this would symbolize unity, continuity, and respect for the collective will of our community,” the governor said.
As of Saturday evening, the endorsement had received broad public support, though it remains uncertain whether other interested contenders — including several local political figures rumored to be eyeing the seat — will stand down.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has yet to announce the official polling date, though by-elections are typically held within 90 days of a vacancy.
Isiolo South, a vast and predominantly pastoralist constituency, continues to grapple with perennial challenges such as water scarcity, insecurity, and infrastructural gaps — issues the late Bidu had actively pursued in Parliament.
For the younger Tubi, who has kept a low public profile, the endorsement thrusts him into the spotlight at a moment of heightened expectations.
The move mirrors a long-standing tradition in Northern Kenya and beyond, where communities often rally behind family members to succeed leaders who die in office. Notable precedents include Mohamed Ahmed Khalif, who replaced his father, the late Labour Minister Ahmed Khalif, as Wajir West MP in 2003; and Abdul Haji, who was elected unopposed to replace his father, Garissa Senator Yusuf Haji, in 2021.
A similar succession dynamic is playing out in neighboring Banisa Constituency in Mandera County, where elders have endorsed Ahmed Maalim Hassan, also known as Ahmed Barre Maalim Hassan, to contest the November 27 by-election on a UDA ticket, following the March death of his brother, MP Kullow Maalim Hassan. While the endorsement has galvanized local support, legal questions over his eligibility have emerged.
Across the country, such familial successions remain a recurring feature of Kenya’s political landscape. Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang’ replaced his late brother Tom during a 2013 by-election; Musalia Mudavadi entered Parliament in 1989 to succeed his father Moses in Sabatia; and Eugene Wamalwa took over the Kimilili seat following his brother’s death.
Governor Guyo’s intervention underscores the enduring role of elder-led consensus in stabilizing politics in multi-ethnic, clan-sensitive regions like Isiolo.
As the community continues to mourn, attention now turns to whether this united front will hold — and whether Isiolo South will deliver another seamless transition rooted in tradition, continuity, and respect for the late MP’s legacy.