Maureen Makio: The Tana River KUPPET Chairperson who led team to win 12 seats

The  February 7,2026 Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) branch elections in Tana River will be remembered for many things, but above all for the spectacular dominance of Team Progressive for Teachers (TPT) and the unmistakable force behind that victory: Chairperson Maureen Makio.

What unfolded was not merely a routine union election. It was a display of strategy, resilience, mobilisation, and political dexterity that transformed an incumbent once written off as a minor player into the centre of gravity in county union politics.

TPT’s landslide win, securing 12 out of the 14 available seats, stunned many observers who had expected a tight contest between the three competing camps. Team Change for Teachers (TCT), led by Executive Secretary aspirant Isaac Mogere, and Team Pro, associated with outgoing Executive Secretary Peter Omondi, both entered the race with confidence and visible support bases.

Yet as the ballots settled, it was TPT that swept nearly every key leadership seat: Executive Secretary, Chairperson, Treasurer, Assistant ES, Vice Chairperson, Assistant Treasurer, and several other critical posts. Political analysts will spend time dissecting what went right for TPT, but one truth stands tall even before the dust fully settles. The county has witnessed the emergence of Maureen Makio as a formidable organiser and a union political powerhouse.

Her influence did not arise by luck or happenstance. Reports from polling centre and campaign trails consistently pointed to an indefatigable figure at the heart of the TPT machinery. As Chairperson, many would have expected her to focus solely on defending her seat. Instead, she immersed herself in building a collective effort, amplifying the strengths of her teammates, and forging alliances that proved decisive.

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Her deep engagement with Junior School teachers, a constituency often overlooked or underestimated in union politics, became the backbone of TPT’s expansive voter mobilisation. While other camps were still calculating the weight of traditional blocs such as secondary sector or long‑serving teachers, Makio was stitching together a powerful coalition grounded in inclusivity, energy, and shared aspirations.

Her leadership produced a ripple effect that reshaped the political landscape of the branch. Aspirants in her camp, some of them previously considered underdogs, rode on the wave of trust she had cultivated and the momentum she sustained throughout the campaign period. The growing sentiment across the county that “Madam Tutam” is both kingmaker and the power behind the throne captures not only her influence but the depth of gratitude many of her colleagues now feel. She helped install Issa Mubarak as the new Executive Secretary, a position often seen as the heartbeat of union leadership, and in the process solidified her stature as a central actor in the future direction of Tana River KUPPET.

It is important to acknowledge the irony that makes her story even more compelling. As an incumbent, some detractors dismissed her early on, believing the tide of change and factional politics would wash her aside. Yet instead of retreating, she built an even stronger footing. Through deliberate planning, constant presence in the field, and an unrelenting commitment to the cause of teachers, she disproved every prediction of her diminishing relevance. The elections have now spoken unequivocally. Makio did not merely survive; she triumphed and delivered a countywide sweep for her team.

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With victory secured, however, comes an even greater responsibility. The overwhelming mandate entrusted to TPT is not a licence for triumphalism but a call to service. Teachers in Tana River, regardless of which camp they supported, now look to the new leadership for unity, fairness, and purposeful action. Elections may divide, as they inevitably do, but leadership must heal and bring together. TPT must therefore rise above past rivalries and act as a leadership for all, ensuring that the needs, concerns, and welfare of teachers across all sectors are addressed with impartiality and integrity.

The county stands at a promising juncture. With the infusion of new energy, fresh perspectives, and a strong mandate, the new leaders have an opportunity to transform the union’s impact and rebuild teacher confidence. Maureen Makio has proven that she possesses the strategic mind and organisational abilities to rally people toward a common goal. The task ahead is to channel those strengths into inclusive governance, transparent decision‑making, and sustained advocacy for the dignity of the teaching profession.

Tana River has spoken decisively. Now, TPT must honour that voice by governing with humility, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to every teacher in the county.

By Newton Maneno | manenonewton1@gmail.com | Teacher, Tana River County