Uncle Dan: Nakuru volunteer helping children cross road safely

Quality education is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals  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 risky and unsafe due to increased traffic and in most areas lack of pedestrian crossing signs and bridges.

One of the notorious sections is the free area in Nakuru city, where school children were getting killed weekly until Daniel Jumba decided enough was enough and intervened. 

Jumba 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 job when he is lucky to be hired.

Interviewed by KNA, Jumbo said the children get to the crossing spots and innocently wait for him to stop the speeding vehicles, and that due to their age, he cannot explain 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. Sometimes he has to 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. 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 since he began this job, he has only interacted with two parents who came to appreciate him. Most people assume he is an employee of the county, and sometimes reprimand him if he delays even for a few minutes.

But, he is grateful that the National Transport Authority has recognised his efforts on the highway and his perseverance to assist the children.

Recently, they provided him with a decent road sign and reflector jacket that makes his work quite professional. They added him another responsibility of reporting vehicles that speed despite the stop signage when the children are crossing the road.   

Jumba narrated the worst experience on the road while crossing with the children was one time when a vehicle failed to stop and was flashing full lights. At that moment, he not only feared for the lives of the 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.

He also said some drivers insult him for stopping their vehicles and question the source of his authority. But, he avoids answering back because he’s not assigned the job.

The rainy season also comes with its challenges as he has nowhere to  shelter as he awaits for the children who come in sporadically in groups, and he can’t delay them to wait for the others.

Nevertheless, Jumba says that NTSA has been of great help to him because they have assured him of support in case of reckless driving witnessed by reporting such drivers through their number plates to them.

In addition, Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria noted his enthusiasm and commitment and promised to award his children bursaries. Some motorists also reward him with 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.  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, he said.

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 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.