Kajiado: One dead, several injured in commuter train accident
By Antynet Ford
One person has been reported dead while 59 others sustained injuries following a mishap involving a commuter train at KMQ, Magadi, Kajiado County.
The incident occurred today in the early morning hours, with 30 of the wounded reported to be in critical condition, as reported by the police.
According to eyewitnesses and law enforcement reported that the Magadi-Kajiado commuter train rolled backwards on a steep incline, resulting in injuries to its passengers, with one fatality at the scene.
The train was en route to Kajiado town from Magadi, carrying 59 passengers.
Accounts from witnesses indicate that a loud impact was heard before the passengers erupted into cries for assistance.
The injured were initially treated at the Mile 46 dispensary before being transferred to Kajiado Referral Hospital for specialized care.
The superintendent of Kajiado Referral Hospital, Fred Ayani, confirmed a total of 46 casualties, with approximately 20 individuals sustaining severe injuries.
The deceased individual, who has been positively identified, is presently being preserved at the hospital morgue.
Ten patients in critical condition, with multiple fractures, have been directed to Kenyatta National Hospital for further treatment.
Local residents attributed the accident to widespread vandalism of the railway tracks and reduced visibility due to heavy rainfall in the area.
The residents highlighted that the railway tracks have recently been targeted by unscrupulous scrap metal dealers who engage in evasive tactics with the monitoring unit officers responsible for overseeing the railway tracks.
The commuter train, serving as the primary public transportation option, charges a fare of Sh70 for a journey spanning approximately 135 kilometers.
The train also operates a cargo service for the transportation of trona from Magadi to its depot in Kajiado town, subsequently destined for export in Mombasa.
The introduction of the commuter train services was aimed at alleviating the transportation hurdles faced by passengers residing in the remote villages of Kajiado West Sub-county.
Typically, passengers would incur expenses of up to Sh700 to reach Kajiado via the Kiserian-Isinya route, a journey that could take up to four hours.
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