- Karas Comprehensive School has been closed indefinitely after a pupil was reportedly hit by a Probox near the school.
- Parents have demanded the installation of speed bumps on the Makutano-Kamatira road and have called on motorists to observe speed limits around learning institutions.
- Education officers and the area chief have intervened to calm tensions as authorities assess safety measures before learning resumes.
Karas Comprehensive School has been closed indefinitely after a pupil was reportedly hit by a Probox near the institution along the Makutano-Kamatira road in West Pokot County
The incident sparked protests by learners and parents, prompting the intervention of education officers and the area chief to calm tensions and prevent escalation.
Parents who gathered at the school following the incident demanded urgent road safety measures, including the installation of speed bumps on the Makutano-Kamatira stretch. They said traffic calming measures would help control speeding and protect learners and other pedestrians.
During the engagement with officials, parents appealed to motorists to take greater responsibility and observe speed limits when approaching learning institutions and to obey road signs. They said drivers should exercise caution around schools where children are vulnerable while crossing or walking along busy routes.
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The intervention by education officials and the chief underscored the need to address community concerns promptly after incidents involving learners, especially when emotions are high. The closure is expected to give authorities time to engage the affected community and determine appropriate steps before learning resumes.
The calls for speed bumps remain demands from parents and not a confirmed government decision. Any installation would require assessment and approval by the relevant road and traffic authorities.
Details regarding the pupil’s current condition, the circumstances surrounding the collision, the status of the driver and the specific reasons for the indefinite closure had not been independently established at the time of reporting.
The incident has, however, renewed focus on road safety around learning institutions and the need to ensure that speed limits, warning signs and other traffic control measures adequately protect children travelling to and from school.
By Hillary Muhalya
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