The education sector in Kenya is in mourning following the tragic death of the National Chairman of the Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association (KEPSHA), Johnston Nzioka. Nzioka succumbed to injuries sustained in a fatal road accident on Sunday, February 16, along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway in Athi River.
According to police reports, Nzioka was driving a four-wheel drive vehicle when he swerved to avoid a head-on collision with an oncoming car. In the process, his vehicle crashed into a moving trailer. He died on the spot, and his body was moved to the mortuary pending an autopsy and further investigations.
Authorities suspect that Nzioka may have been speeding at the time of the accident as he was heading towards Nairobi. The Nairobi-Mombasa Highway is known for its high accident rates, and his death has once again raised concerns about road safety in Kenya. Police have since launched an investigation to establish the exact cause of the crash.
Nzioka was not only a leader in school administration but also a dedicated advocate for primary education in Kenya. He was serving as the headteacher of Donholm Primary School in Nairobi and had previously led several other schools in the capital. His leadership extended beyond the classroom, as he was an active contributor to co-curricular activities, particularly in sports administration.
His influence in the education sector was far-reaching. He served as a Sub-County Chairman of the Kenya Primary Schools Sports Association before rising to become the National Vice-Chairperson in 2015. Additionally, he was the Organizing Secretary of the Federation of East African Primary Schools Headteachers, further solidifying his impact on regional education policies.
Nzioka assumed the role of KEPSHA’s Acting National Chairperson on March 3, 2021, following the retirement of Nicholas Gathemia. Under his leadership, he became a vocal critic of the delayed release of capitation funds, highlighting the financial struggles many schools faced. His advocacy for improved education funding and teachers’ welfare earned him respect among educators nationwide.
His passing has been met with deep sorrow from colleagues and stakeholders in the education sector. KEPSHA National Treasurer Kennedy Kyeva mourned him as a “visionary leader, a champion of teachers’ welfare, and an advocate for quality education.” Similarly, Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary-General Collins Oyuu described Nzioka as a leader whose diplomatic skills and commitment to uniting teachers during tough times will be sorely missed.
Nzioka’s sudden death marks a significant loss for the education fraternity in Kenya, leaving behind a legacy of service, advocacy, and unwavering dedication to improving primary education
