Grief has hit the education sector after the Ministry of Education confirmed that two teachers and a learner lost their lives in two separate road crashes reported earlier today in Nairobi and Nyeri counties.
The first incident occurred in Nairobi at City Primary School in Ngara, where teachers had assembled to participate in union elections.
A public service vehicle veered off the road and crashed into the group, killing one teacher at the scene. Another teacher later died while undergoing treatment in hospital.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba said a total of 26 teachers were injured in the crash and have been admitted to different health facilities for treatment.
“The news is heartbreaking. On my behalf and that of the Ministry of Education, I extend my deepest condolences to the families, friends and relatives of the deceased,” said CS Ogamba in a statement.
“We pray that God grants them strength and fortitude during this difficult time.”
Police officers who visited the scene said early findings indicate that the vehicle involved appeared to have lost control before hitting the teachers. Nairobi police commander George Seda warned that the number of fatalities could increase, as several of the injured suffered serious injuries.
People who witnessed the accident said the scene was distressing, with injured teachers lying on the ground as emergency teams worked to evacuate them and provide first aid.
In a separate incident in Nyeri County, one learner died after a van transporting 25 learners from Mahehe Friends Academy and Aberdare Academy lost control along the road.
The cause of the crash has not yet been established.
Nineteen learners who sustained injuries were taken to Nyeri County Referral Hospital for medical attention.
The Kenya Red Cross confirmed that rescue teams were still on the ground, working to ensure that any learners who may have been trapped were safely removed from the vehicle.
CS Ogamba said the Ministry of Education has activated a multi-agency response to handle the two incidents and support those affected.
“We are coordinating efforts with the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, the Ministry of Roads and Transport, the Ministry of Health, the Teachers Service Commission, and the two County Governments to manage these sorrowful developments,” he said.
The Education Cabinet Secretary also urged motorists to act responsibly on the roads to prevent similar tragedies.
“We call upon drivers and other road users to exercise due care and adhere to traffic rules and protocols for the safety of everyone,” CS Ogamba said.
The Ministry said it is providing support to affected families and schools as investigations into both accidents continue. Authorities are seeking to establish the exact circumstances under which the two crashes occurred.
The accidents have renewed concern over road safety, particularly for teachers and learners who travel for school-related activities. In Nyeri, emergency teams remained at the scene as efforts continued to account for all learners involved in the crash.
