Ministry calls for due care after two teachers, student die in road accidents

The two teachers and a learner died following road accidents in Nairobi and Nyeri counties, incidents that left several others injured.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has urged motorists to exercise caution and observe traffic rules to avoid preventable road accidents.

In a statement on Sunday, the CS said the Ministry of Education was working with other government agencies, including the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Roads and Transport, the Teachers Service Commission and the affected county governments to manage the situation.

In Nairobi’s Ngara area, a public service vehicle ploughed into teachers who were taking part in union elections at City Primary School. One teacher died on the spot, while another later succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment in hospital. At least 26 other teachers were injured and rushed to various hospitals in the city.

Eyewitnesses say the accident happened as teachers were leaving the school compound. “The vehicle lost control and hit people who were standing by the roadside. There was panic everywhere,” said one teacher who witnessed the crash. Another witness described the scene as chaotic, saying, “Some people were bleeding, others were lying on the ground. We tried to help before ambulances arrived.”

In Nyeri County, one learner was killed after a school van carrying 25 pupils from Mahehe Friends Academy and Aberdare Academy lost control and overturned. The learner died while receiving treatment in the hospital, while other injured pupils were taken to nearby health facilities.

A resident who assisted at the scene said the van appeared to lose control on a bend. “We heard a loud bang and rushed to the road. Children were crying, and some were injured,” the resident said.

“We pray for strength for the families who have lost their loved ones and for quick recovery for those who were injured,” Ogamba said.