KEPSHA National Chairman dies in road accident
Crash Details
According to police reports, Nzioka was involved in a road crash in Athi River along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway. His four-wheel-drive vehicle collided with a moving trailer after he swerved to avoid an oncoming car. He died on the spot.
Police suspect he was speeding as he was heading to Nairobi. His body has been taken to the mortuary for an autopsy as investigations continue.
Road Safety Concerns
The accident has raised once again concerns over road safety along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway, a corridor that has a high frequency of fatal crashes. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident to determine the cause and possible solutions.
A Career in Education
Nzioka, who was also the Headteacher of Donholm Primary School in Nairobi, was an educationist with over 30 years experience. Before taking up the KEPSHA job, he had been a headteacher in several schools in the city and was respected for his commitment to improving education in Kenya.
Advocate for Education and Teachers’ Welfare
As KEPSHA chairman, Nzioka was a vocal advocate for timely disbursement of capitation funds, often complaining about the financial struggles many primary schools faced due to delays in funding. He worked tirelessly to champion headteachers’ welfare and improve primary education management in Kenya.
Co-Curricular Leadership
Beyond academics, Nzioka was instrumental in co-curricular activities, especially in sports administration. He rose from Sub-County Chairman of Kenya Primary Schools Sports Association to National Vice-Chairperson in 2015. He also served as Organizing Secretary of Federation of East African Primary Schools Headteachers.
Tributes
After the news broke, tributes have been pouring in from education stakeholders, colleagues and leaders who worked with Nzioka.
KEPSHA National Treasurer Kennedy Kyeva described him as a visionary leader for primary education in Kenya.> “We have lost a teacher’s welfare champion and a education advocate. He was a big blow to the education sector,” Kyeva.
Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary-General Collins Oyuu also eulogized Nzioka.
“His diplomacy, advocacy for teachers and ability to bring members together during tough times will be felt,” Oyuu.
Legacy and Impact
Nzioka took over as temporary National Chairman of KEPSHA on 3rd March 2021 after Nicholas Gathemia retired. Since then he has been instrumental in driving policies and strategies to transform the education sector in Kenya.
His work for education, particularly in championing for better teacher and learner conditions will be felt for a long time. His commitment to ensuring effective implementation of government policies in primary schools earned him respect from fellow educators and policymakers.
Final Thoughts
As we mourn the loss of Johnston Nzioka, his legacy as a leader, mentor and advocate for teachers and learners will be remembered. His sudden passing is a wake up call for us to work towards stricter road safety measures to prevent more loss of lives on our Kenyan roads.
May he rest in peace.