Service without pay

Nakuru, Thursday, June 15, 2023

KNA by Veronica Bosibori/Moses Mbaru

Quality education is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that the United Nations General Assembly adopted for the transformation of the World by the year 2030, building on the principle of “leaving no one behind.”

However, ensuring inclusive and equitable education, and the promotion of lifelong learning opportunities for all, sometimes gets curtailed by simple things such as crossing dangerous roads for children on their way to school and other unforeseen hazards.

An example is the expansion of the Nakuru- Nairobi highway into four lanes which has made it hazardous and unsafe due to increased traffic and in most areas lack of pedestrian crossing signs and pedestrian bridges.

One of the notorious places is the free area in Nakuru city, where school children were getting killed on a weekly basis until Mr. Daniel Jumba decided enough was enough and took it upon himself to make a rudimentary ‘Stop sign Post’ from a long stick and a manila paper to stop traffic and enable the minors to cross safely.

However, after volunteering since June 2021, 44-year-old Jumba, whom the children fondly and dotingly refer to as Uncle Dan is beginning to rue his decision since it sometimes conflicts with his painting hustle when he is lucky to be hired.

Interviewed by KNA, he said it distresses him when the children get to the crossing spots and innocently wait for him to stop the speeding vehicles, and yet due to their age he cannot fathom explaining to them that he’s just offering free services out of compassion.

But the dread of another child being knocked down has kept him going for the last two years. And sometimes he has to literally sneak from his hired paintwork to help the children in the afternoon.  

Jumba said he is a tenant in the Kiamunyeki area, which is approximately 30 minutes’ walk to the highway, and the children he majorly supports cross the roads safely and attend Lion Hill, Neema, Madaraka Primary Schools and Hillcrest Secondary Schools.

Despite assisting many school children, Jumba says that since he began this job, he has only interacted with two parents who came to appreciate him. Most people conceive him as an employee of the county due to his work and determination, and they tend to reprimand him if he delays even for a few minutes.

But, he is grateful that the National Transport Authority (NTSA) has recognized his presence on the highway and his perseverance to assist the children. Recently they provided him with a decent road sign and jacket reflector that makes his work quite professional. They added him another responsibility of reporting vehicles that speed off despite the stop signage when the children are crossing the road.   

Jumba narrated the worst experience on the road while crossing with the children and a vehicle failed to stop and was constantly flashing full lights. At that moment, he not only feared for the lives of his treasured children but also for his own. Luckily, the driver veered off the road, without hurting anyone.

Thereafter, he was informed that whenever a vehicle approaches him while displaying full lights, he should be aware that the vehicle has lost brakes. He noted that challenges are inevitable in the volunteered job since some drivers are reckless and defy stopping, even after he lifts the road signage.

On top of that, some insult him for stopping their vehicles by questioning the source of his authority. But, he avoids answering back because he’s not assigned the job by anyone. Also, the rainy season becomes a nightmare since he has no sheltering place as he awaits the children, who come in sporadically in groups, and he can’t delay them to wait for the others.

Nevertheless, Jumba says that the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has been of great help to him because they have assured him of support in any case of reckless driving witnessed by reporting such drivers through their number plates to them.

In addition, Nakuru Town East Member of parliament Mr. David Gikaria noted his enthusiasm and commitment and promised to award his children bursaries, and some motorists reward him with some cash and shopping as an appreciation for his volunteer services.

Muriithi Kathingi, a police officer in charge of the patrol base in Free Area said Jumba has been executing a vital service for the last two years. And, his presence on the busy highway has saved a lot of school children's lives and adults who join students at the precarious crossing spots. Additionally, he said there was always a need for volunteering services since police cannot be everywhere.  

Salome Wanjiru, a parent said for a long time she thought Jumba was employed and she was among the people who scolded him whenever he delayed. She appealed to the county government to employ him and others at the numerous hazardous spots, which have no provision for the children and elderly who live across the roads.

She praised the volunteer work that has prevented the previously weekly accidents in the area.

Hence, despite the good intentions of the Sustainable Development Goals for every child to get a good education, there are numerous deathtraps, for children in African countries on their way to school, including dangerous roads, collapsed bridges, flooded rivers, and even wild animals for those who pass through thickets.

Courtesy ; K. N. A