Kuppet pays tribute to teachers who died in Ngara accident

Kuppet described their deaths as a profound loss to the education fraternity.

The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers has paid tribute to three teachers who died following a traffic accident outside City Primary School in Ngara during the union’s Nairobi branch elections on Saturday, January 31.

The union described their deaths as a profound loss to the education fraternity.

Faith Ndunge Nguma, Jacob Mwanthi King’oo and Nicholas Omondi Arem had joined colleagues to participate in the election of union representatives when a matatu reportedly lost its brakes and ploughed into a group of teachers gathered outside the polling venue at City Primary School.

“The Kuppet fraternity extends deep condolences to the families, relatives and friends of the teachers who perished in the traffic accident during our Nairobi branch elections,” the union said in a condolence message.

The union wished a swift recovery to those injured and said its thoughts remained with affected school communities.

“Each of the departed teachers was an esteemed member of their school community. We stand with the affected families as we navigate this painful moment. This tragedy reminds us of the urgent need to strengthen road safety for all.”

Witness accounts indicate the CBD-bound matatu from Limuru Road veered off course after brake failure, rammed into the unsuspecting teachers and overturned before coming to rest on its side.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said 26 teachers were injured. Thirteen were treated and discharged, while the rest remained admitted in various hospitals in Nairobi.

“Twenty six of them were injured, 13 of them were treated and discharged, and we have 13 in various hospitals in Nairobi,” he said after visiting some of the victims on Sunday, February 1.

The Teachers Service Commission said all medical bills would be fully covered.

“SHA is completely covering all the medical bills that are going to be incurred,” TSC national chairperson Jamleck Muturi said.

TSC acting secretary Eveleen Mitei said three teachers were receiving treatment at Aga Khan Hospital, eight at Nairobi West Hospital, one at Kenyatta National Hospital and one at AAR Kiambu Road.

Ogamba added that one teacher at Aga Khan had undergone surgery, while two others were in the High Dependency Unit but stable.

Kuppet described the three deceased as dedicated educators who served their schools with distinction.

Nguma hailed from Muthiga, Kinoo Location and served at Milimani Primary and Junior School as a Social Studies teacher, Panel Head for Social Sciences and Drama Matron.

She leaves behind four children. Her body is preserved at PCEA Thogoto Funeral Home. The cortege will leave the facility on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, for a funeral service at PCEA Kihumo Church grounds, followed by burial at her home in Muthiga.

King’oo, from Ngilani village in Mungyani Location, Mbitini Ward, Nzaui Subcounty, Makueni county, taught STEM at Milimani Primary and Junior School and served as Panel Head and Sports Master.

His body is at Kenyatta University Funeral Home, with burial scheduled for February 10, 2026, at his family home in Ngilani village.

Arem taught at Ngara Girls High School. He hailed from Kolenyo village, Seme subcounty, Kisumu county.

He leaves behind one child. His body is preserved at Kenyatta National Hospital Mortuary.

The cortege will depart on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, ahead of burial on Thursday, February 26, 2026, in Kolenyo village.

Their deaths come amid growing concern over road safety. Police records show accidents spiked in January by 11 per cent, translating to 398 fatalities between January 1 and January 30 compared to about 358 during the same period last year.

The National Police Service reported 854 accidents in January 2026, slightly up from 850 crashes in January 2025, with 2,032 victims recorded, an 8 per cent increase year-on-year.

Pedestrians accounted for the highest number of deaths at 143, followed by motorcyclists at 102, passengers at 77 and drivers at 38.

“We are deeply concerned about the rise in road fatalities this January, and we are intensifying enforcement to protect all road users,” said NPS Traffic Department liaison officer Boniface Otieno.

The statistics carry a heavy weight for the families of the departed teachers and Kuppet as they prepare to lay them to rest.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the colleagues, students, school communities and all those affected by the tragic event. May God grant strength, comfort and peace during this difficult time,” the union said.