At least one person has died, and 59 others have sustained injuries after a commuter train accident in Magadi, Kajiado County.
The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday morning when the Magadi-Kajiado commuter train rolled backward along a steep stretch, causing chaos and leaving passengers in distress.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud bang before the train came to an abrupt halt, followed by passengers’ screams for help. Emergency services quickly responded, and the injured were initially treated at Mile 46 dispensary.
They were then transferred to Kajiado Referral Hospital for specialized treatment.
According to a certain publication, Kajiado Referral Hospital superintendent, Fred Ayani, confirmed that the facility received 46 casualties, with around 20 of them sustaining serious injuries. Ten patients in critical condition, suffering from multiple fractures, have been referred to Kenyatta National Hospital for further treatment.
The body of the deceased, who has been positively identified, is being preserved at the hospital morgue.
Residents and witnesses attributed the accident to rampant vandalism of the railway line and poor visibility due to heavy rains in the area. They expressed concern over the frequent vandalism by rogue scrap metal dealers who have been playing cat-and-mouse games with railway check unit officers.
The train, which was headed towards Kajiado town from Magadi, had 59 passengers on board at the time of the accident.
Authorities are investigating the exact cause of the crash, and safety measures are expected to be reviewed to prevent such tragedies in the future.
