Johnson Nzioka, the National Chairman of Kenya Primary Schools Heads Association (KEPSHA), passed on following a tragic road accident along Mombasa Road.

In a statement issued late on Sunday, February 16, 2025, Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General Collins Oyuu confirmed the untimely death of the EPSHA boss.

In his message, Collins Oyuu expressed deep sorrow and described the deceased as an outstanding leader who played a significant role in redefining KEPSHA to meet the ever-changing demands of the country’s education sector.

“Brother Nzioka was an exemplary outstanding leader with very distinct diplomatic leadership skills that helped redefine the KEPSHA leadership to a world-class teachers association at a time when Education management in the country was undergoing strategic reforms,” Oyuu said in his statement.

Teachers welfare

According to Oyuu, the deceased was also at the forefront of championing the rights and welfare of teachers. He added that he was integral in negotiating teachers’ deals with the government and their employer, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

“The KEPSHA chairman has stood out to be a great mobilizer for head teachers’ activities and a negotiator for their welfare during his short stint at the helm of the association.

“Nzioka has been a regular contributor to teachers’ well-being generally. He will be remembered for his soft but forthright speaking especially while brokering peace among his members,” Oyuu stated.

He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to his wife, children, his entire family and the teaching fraternity in Kenya wishing them strength as they mourn the departed soul.

Besides his role at KEPSHA, Johnson Nzioka also served as a Council member at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).

His notable contributions to the education sector include pushing for the promotion of head teachers, pressuring the government to allocate funding for grade 9 classrooms, and advocating for head teachers to be compensated for the additional responsibilities they have taken on in managing JSS, which are domiciled in their primary schools.

In 2022, he was conferred with a Head of State commendation by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Accident data

In 2024, at least 4,282 people were killed in road accidents. While releasing the accident data, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said that was an indication of an increase of 192 people who had lost their lives in 2024 compared to 4,090 killed in the same period of January to November in 2023.

“These are not just statistics, but human lives that have been adversely affected as a result of road carnage,” he said.

He said road traffic accidents were still the leading cause of injuries and fatalities in the country.

“Yet, most of these accidents are caused by preventable human factors, especially non-compliance with traffic rules and regulations. Evidently, road traffic accidents tend to increase during festive seasons, and already, we are seeing an increase in road traffic accidents this year.”

The 2025 accident data is yet to be released.