Londiani Boys train spotlight on road carnage with 'Jinxed Junction' film

Pupils from Makunga Primary School in the Western region rehearse their cultural dance titled Shwanja ahead of their performance at the 63rd Kenya National Drama and Film Festival, held at Lions School, Nakuru, on April 8, 2025. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard] During the ongoing Kenya Film and Drama Festival, students from Londiani Boys High School presented a timely documentary shedding light on the emotional toll of road accidents, particularly on the busy Nakuru-Eldoret highway. Titled Jinxed Junction, the documentary explores the tragic events that have led to the deaths of thousands on this perilous road. The students portray the notorious junction, recognised as a black spot for accidents, and conveyed the daily fears faced by road users, including pedestrians and roadside vendors. They also highlight the challenges pedestrians encounter when trying to cross the road, as well as the reckless behaviour of some drivers. The documentary also demonstrates the dangers faced by motorbike riders and the difficulties pedestrians experience when crossing a road that lacks proper markings. "Our school is situated along the Londiani-Muhoroni Road, and when anyone talks about that route, all we think of is accidents. We used the power of film to showcase what it feels like being a student at a school located off a major highway where accidents are frequent," said Moses Karanja, a student involved in the project. Karanja said being part of the documentary gave him the opportunity to express his concerns as a student who frequently uses the route. "Frequent accidents around the Londiani Junction are a constant worry for us, both when we travel and when our parents visit us," he added. While en route to film the documentary, the students reportedly witnessed an accident firsthand. "Last year's horrific accident, which claimed 51 lives on the same highway, highlights the severity of the issue. Some of our fellow students have lost parents and relatives, while others have sustained injuries," Karanja said. The students also used the platform to highlight the efforts they have made to raise awareness and the coping mechanisms they have adopted to help them concentrate in class despite the constant threat of accidents. Xavier Amran, who features in the film as the Fika Salama Ambassador, explained the initiative they started in school to promote road safety awareness. "When we realised that most of us were afraid every time we travelled to and from school, we created the Fika Salama initiative," Imran said. The initiative teaches students basic road safety skills, such as crossing roads at designated areas. "But even as students play our part, we cannot do it alone. All road users and relevant agencies must be involved," he said. "We need the National Transport and Safety Authority to ensure that vehicles are roadworthy. We also need traffic officers to enforce speed limits. Properly marked roads and designated crossing areas are essential. Drivers must be sober and avoid overloading," he said. Kipkurui Mutai, a teacher at the school who also counsels students, noted that most of the traumatic cases in the school stem from road accidents. "We have counselling sessions to help students cope. Sometimes, students are even afraid to travel home," Mutai said. Oscar Lumire, the scriptwriter, said he developed the idea to raise awareness of road safety, particularly because many schools are located along highways. "This documentary highlights what is often overlooked-the emotional and physical burden that road carnage places on students," Lumire said. The film is one of many featured in the festival's film category, which includes schools presenting feature films, adverts, short films, screenplays, and documentaries. Other notable presentations on the second day of the festival included Kesho Kilio, a spoken word performance by Kilifi Vonwald that addresses the impacts of climate change, and The Last Dance, a performance by St Petroc Premier that examines how social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram and YouTube can distract learners.

Londiani Boys train spotlight on road carnage with 'Jinxed Junction' film

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