Passengers stranded after Mombasa bound cargo train derails
What you need to know:
- Kinango OCPD Mr Joseph Omijah said the train derailed after one of its wheels left the track but it did not hit the ground.
- Some passengers at the Coast region’s main station had to spend the night in the cold with their babies due to the interruption.
- Other passengers asked for reimbursement and their monies were returned.
- Tourists who had booked for first class travel said they would have to wait until the repairs were concluded.
More than 500 passengers and tourists were Tuesday night stranded at Taru railway sub-station after a cargo train derailed in Taru area of Kinango Constituency blocking the railway.
Others were also stranded at the Coast region’s main railway station.
Confirming the accident Kinango OCPD Mr Joseph Omijah said the train derailed after one of its wheels left the track but it did not hit the ground.
Mr Omijah said majority of the passengers who were stranded following the derailment used other means to reach their destinations but some were rescued and taken to Mombasa amidst the night travel ban directive.
He said railways officials were on the ground repairing the damage.
“It was a cargo train from Nairobi heading to Mombasa.
Upon reaching Taru area one of its wheels derailed but it never hit the ground," said the OCPD.
After the cargo train derailed, it blocked the railway making it impossible for the passenger train to use the railway line.
"Passengers had to use other means to reach their destination.
Railway officials have since camped at the sight and are repairing the railway line,” said Mr Omijah.
He said the Mombasa-Nairobi highway was not affected by the accident as it had been claimed.
“Transport in the busy Nairobi-Mombasa highway was not affected after the derailment. Any claims to the contrary are just rumours,” he insisted.
NIGHT IN THE COLD
Some passengers at the Coast region’s main station had to spend the night in the cold with their babies due to the interruption.
They urged the government to lift the ban on night passenger travel due to the anguish they continue to experience.
“I was heading to Busia and had to wait for 12 hours while I slept in the cold with no official communication from the management.
President Uhuru Kenyatta must realise the night travel ban is causing pain to the innocent Kenyans.
If it is destined that we will die due to accidents let it be, after all we shall all go,” said Joseph Barasa.
Other passengers asked for reimbursement and their monies were returned.
They hired private vehicles and embarked on their journey after five hours of waiting.
Tourists who had booked for first class travel said they would have to wait until the repairs were concluded.
“We do not have a choice, do we? We will just wait until it is over.
I was taking my family to Nairobi,” said Mr Frank a Turkish national.
