- The Orma community has honoured three veteran educators, Ali Tulicha, Rhoba Abarea and Mahadh Haji Komoro, who retired from active service in June 2026.
- The three teachers have served for decades in various schools across Tana River and Kilifi counties, rising through classroom teaching into headship and senior administrative roles.
- Colleagues, former students and education officials have celebrated their legacy, crediting them with nurturing generations of learners who now contribute to the community’s development.
Residents, neighbours, friends, former learners and education stakeholders from Galedertu Sub-County gathered at Wayu Comprehensive School on Saturday, September 5, 2026, to honour three educators who retired from active service in June 2026: Mr Ali Tulicha, Mr Rhoba Abarea and Mr Mahadh Haji Komoro.
The colourful ceremony, organised by Orma Professionals, many of whom are former students of the three educators, was more than a retirement celebration. It was an occasion to recognise years of commitment, sacrifice and service to education, and to reflect on the profound impact these educators have had on generations of learners and on the wider community.
Held under the theme “Celebrating a Legacy of Excellence, Service and Transformation,” the event brought together education officials, colleagues, former learners, community members and friends to celebrate three careers that have become an important part of the educational history of the community.
The three educators began their careers at a time when introducing and sustaining formal education within the Orma community was a formidable undertaking. The community was predominantly nomadic, and many people were still sceptical about the value and relevance of formal education. The challenges were compounded by the absence of proper roads and reliable means of communication, while schools were often located far apart, requiring exceptional commitment, resilience and a strong sense of purpose to reach learners and maintain regular contact with the communities they served.
Despite these challenges, the three educators remained steadfast in their commitment to serving their community, understanding that education was not merely about teaching in the classroom, but also about opening new opportunities and laying the foundation for a better future. With determination and perseverance, they continued to nurture generations of learners, many of whom would later emerge as professionals contributing to the social and economic development of the community.
Every speaker at the event thanked the retiring educators for their commitment and devotion to educating young people from the community. Among the distinguished guests who attended the ceremony were TSC County Human Resource Officers Messrs Mohamed Katelo and Nur Mohamed, Ministry of Education Galedertu Sub-County Director Madam Telita Wayu, MOE Tana River Sub-County Director Mr Adow, KNUT Tana River County Executive Secretary Mr Simon Igwo, and Kenya Primary and Junior Schools Sports Association (KPJSSA) Coast Region Chairperson Mr Yusuf Jilo.
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Academic and Career Journeys of the Three Educators
The three teachers have several things in common, ranging from their year of birth in 1966 to the basic education institutions they attended. After their college education, they all pursued school leadership and administration training at the Kenya Education Management Institute (KEMI).
Mr Ali Tulicha worked briefly as a court clerk in 1986 before being engaged by the Teachers Service Commission as an untrained teacher the same year. He trained as a teacher between 1987 and 1989, after which TSC formally employed him as a primary school teacher. He taught at Waldena for one year, Titila for ten years, Wayu for eight years and Kalkalcha for six years, before being promoted and placed in charge of Titila, Wayu and Kalkalcha primary schools, where his accommodative leadership style brought substantial development to each school he headed. He later transferred his services to the Tana River County Government in 2014, working as a senior administrator, and retired in June 2026 as Bangale Sub-County Administrator, having also previously served in administrative roles in Tana River and Tana North sub-counties.
Mr Rhoba Abarea entered the teaching service on July 24, 1984, and served at several educational institutions, beginning with Mbalambala for two terms, followed by Chifiri for four years, Wayu Primary School for five years and Laini for another five years. He was later sent to Wayu Boro for six years before TSC transferred him back to Wayu for another four years.
He was then promoted to headteacher and placed at Wayu Boro for five years, before heading Kalkalcha for five years and later being delocalised to Chikwakwani in Kwale County for another five years. After the delocalisation policy was stopped, he was transferred back to Tana River County, where he headed Chanani School until his retirement in June this year. Widely praised by students, parents, colleagues and stakeholders for his approachable leadership, Mr Rhoba was visited by staff at his last station, who celebrated with gifts and a cake, followed by a memorable gesture in which the Chanani School fraternity handed over a goat to him, which he promised to name after the school in tribute.
Mr Mahadh Haji Komoro was employed by the Teachers Service Commission as an untrained teacher in 1987, later moving to permanent and pensionable terms in 1996. He served at Waldena Primary School from 1987 to 1992, Ama Primary School from 1992 to 1996, and Wayu Primary from 1996 to 2001, before being promoted to headteacher, serving at Wayu Boro from 2001 to 2009 and Wayu from 2009 to 2018. Between 2018 and 2019, he was transferred to Kirimani Primary School in Kilifi as Head of Institution, before returning to Bombi Primary, where he served between 2020 and 2023. He was later transferred back to Tana River County to head Titila Primary School in Galedertu Sub-County, a position he held until his retirement in June this year. He also served in the leadership of the Kenya Primary Schools Headteachers Association (KEPSHA) as Chairperson of Galedertu Sub-County.
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The retirement of the three educators marks not just the end of their contribution to the community, but the beginning of a new chapter in a legacy built over decades of service, sacrifice and commitment to education. From the challenging early years, when access to education was limited and schools faced numerous logistical difficulties, to the transformation witnessed today, their careers demonstrate what dedication and perseverance can achieve.
Their greatest legacy is reflected in the many former learners who are now contributing to society in different professions and capacities. As they bow out of active service, Ali Tulicha, Rhoba Abarea and Mahadh Haji Komoro leave behind a message for those still in the teaching profession: serve with purpose, persevere through challenges, and remember that every learner whose life you touch may become part of your enduring legacy.
By Mwalimu Bati Wario
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