In a tragic turn of events, Johnson Nzioka, the National Chairman of the Kenya Primary Schools Headteachers Association (KEPSHA), has passed away following a road accident in Athi River, Machakos County. The incident occurred on the evening of February 16, 2025, along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway. Reports indicate that Nzioka’s vehicle collided with a moving trailer as he attempted to avoid a head-on collision with an oncoming car.
Nzioka, who also served as the headteacher of Donholm Primary School, was a prominent figure in Kenya’s education sector. His leadership in KEPSHA was marked by advocacy for better funding for schools, the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), and improved working conditions for headteachers. In 2022, his contributions were recognized with a Head of State commendation by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The news of his untimely demise has sent shockwaves throughout the education community. KEPSHA National Treasurer, Kennedy Kyeva, confirmed the incident and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of a visionary leader. Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary-General, Collins Oyuu, lauded Nzioka’s exemplary leadership and his dedication to redefining KEPSHA amidst strategic reforms in the country’s education system.
Beyond his role in KEPSHA, Nzioka was a council member at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD). He was instrumental in advocating for the promotion of headteachers, securing funding for grade 9 classrooms, and ensuring that headteachers received compensation for the additional responsibilities associated with managing Junior Secondary Schools within their institutions.
As investigations into the accident continue, the education sector mourns the loss of a leader whose impact will be felt for years to come.
