A major wave of change has swept through Machakos County after teachers elected their first female executive secretary during the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) branch elections.
Ms. Yvonne Mutindi, a teacher from Yatta Sub County, was elected Machakos KUPPET Branch Executive Secretary, becoming the first woman to hold a top leadership position in the union within the county.
She defeated long-serving incumbent Mr. Musembi Katuku, who had held the seat for 24 years.
According to official results, Ms. Mutindi garnered 2,128 votes against Mr. Katuku’s 958, out of a total of 3,108 ballots cast.
The elections, held at Machakos University, were presided over by officials from the Ministry of Labour and attracted teachers from all nine sub-counties in Machakos.
Voting began early Saturday morning and stretched late into the night, with teachers queuing for more than 15 hours to cast their ballots.
The Machakos polls marked the first KUPPET branch elections to be conducted countrywide, setting the pace for other branches scheduled to hold their elections every weekend until March 2026.
The exercise saw most incumbent officials voted out, as teachers ushered in a new team amid celebratory songs and dances, signalling a strong demand for change and youthful leadership.
Speaking after her victory, Ms. Mutindi expressed joy and gratitude, terming her win as a turning point for teachers in the county.
She pledged to champion better pay, improved working conditions and stronger advocacy for teachers’ rights.
“I am driven to fight for teachers by pushing for promotions, better salaries and motivation. I will also advocate for the autonomy of Junior Secondary Schools (JSS), including domiciling them in primary schools for better management of resources,” she said.
Ms. Mutindi further emphasised the need for teachers to be employed on permanent and pensionable terms to enhance job security and morale.
The chairman position was won by Mr. Martin Mutisya, while Mr. Julius Nzyuko was elected branch treasurer.
Mr. Nzyuko said the outcome reflected the desire by teachers for fresh leadership, noting that the new team would focus on accountability and proper management of union finances.
“It is the right time for young leaders to take over teachers’ unions and streamline finances that have been mismanaged over the years,” he said.
The newly elected officials will represent more than 6,000 teachers under the KUPPET Machakos branch. Their mandate includes improving members’ economic and working conditions through collective bargaining, advocating for teacher welfare, and providing legal representation on employment matters.
Other officials elected during the exercise include Martin Kawinzi (Vice Chairman), Meshack Nzau (Assistant Executive Secretary), Joel Kilonzi (Assistant Treasurer), Mathew Mutuku (Organising Secretary), Ibrahim Ngunga (Secretary Tertiary), Dominic Ndua (Secretary Secondary), Caroline Mbithi (Gender Secretary), Boniface Sila (Secretary JSS), Mercy Muthusi (First Gender Representative), Stella Musau (Second Gender, PWDs) and Everline Keli (Third Gender Representative).
The election outcome was widely hailed as a milestone in promoting gender inclusion and leadership renewal within the teachers’ union in Machakos County.
By Anne Kangero
