The train which was full of passengers lost control and derailed while attempting to cross over a metal bridge
One person was on Tuesday, July 9 confirmed dead while 46 others sustained injuries after a passenger train derailed near Tata Chemicals in Kajiado County.
Per reports, the accident occurred when the Magadi-Kajiado commuter train rolled backwards along a steep stretch, leaving its occupants nursing injuries, with one reported dead on the spot. The train was bound for Kajiado town from Magadi.
The train which was full of passengers lost control and derailed while attempting to cross over a metal bridge, with the derailment causing the train to lose balance and roll over, trapping several passengers.
St John Ambulance, which confirmed the accident, revealed that it had got wind of reports of several casualties. Out of the 46 injured, 30 reportedly sustained critical injuries.
A wreckage of a train that derailed near the Tata area of Kajiado on July 9, 2024. /PHOTO
“A passenger train has derailed in Kajiado near Tata Chemicals – Kajiado Plant. Casualties reported. Emergency response teams currently heading to the scene,” St John Ambulance announced.
Casualties of the accident including the deceased and those injured were rushed to Kajiado Sub-County Hospital even as rescue efforts intensified. Others were ferried to the Kitengela Medical Centre while others were rushed to the St Crispin Medical Centre.
Eyewitnesses blamed the accident on rampant vandalism of the railway line and poor visibility occasioned by heavy rains that pounded the area.
Residents told the media that the railway line has recently been prone to vandalism by rogue scrap metal dealers who play cat-and-mouse games with check unit officers who manage the railway line.
“We have a major challenge. Scrap metal dealers are a threat to users of the train. Sometimes they vandalize the railway line shortly after the check engine has finished inspection, pointing out a well-orchestrated crime being committed by rogue, inhumane scrap metal dealers.
“Vandalizing the railway line puts lives at stake. We appeal to the security agencies to intensify patrols and apprehend the criminals,” one resident said.
The commuter train, which is the only available public means of transport, charges Ksh70 for a distance of approximately 135 kilometres.
The train is managed by Tata Chemicals Magadi, which operates a cargo train that transports trona from Magadi to its depot in Kajiado town before the same is transported to Mombasa for export.
The commuter train services initiative was initiated to ease the transport challenges of passengers in villages in the remote Kajiado West Sub-county hospital.
Ordinarily, a passenger is required to pay up to Ksh700 to get to Kajiado through the Kiserian-Isinya route, a journey that takes up to four hours.
Train accidents are quite rare but when they happen, they have the potential to cause many casualties given that trains transport a lot of people in one trip.
In September 2022, a train rolled over after derailing along the Kakamega-Kisumu railway line. According to Kenya Railways, the train accident was caused due to poor drainage and ongoing road construction.
Scene after a train headed for Kisumu derailed on September 24, 2022. /VIRAL TEA KE