Five people were killed and 12 others injured on Monday, June 6, 2022, after a train collided with a lorry in Ruiru, Kiambu County.
The train rammed the lorry that was crossing the railway in the Kihunguro area on Monday evening.
Confirming the accident, Kiambu County police commander Muchangi Kioi said the driver of the lorry underestimated the speed of the oncoming train, leading to the crash.
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The police boss said the lorry belongs to a Chinese Manufacturing Company and was transporting labourers from work.
Police suspect the victims attempted to escape the accident by jumping out of the moving lorry, but as fate would have it, five were crushed to death while 12 others suffered serious injuries and are receiving treatment at various hospitals in Kiambu County.
"We will continue to monitor the situation of those still receiving treatment at various hospitals but we want to warn the public to approach railways crossing areas with caution. It's better to stop and wait for the train to pass instead of having such incidents," Muchangi said.
Ruiru MP speaks
Ruiru MP Simon King'ara who visited the scene accused the contractor expanding the Eastern Bypass of failing to put in place serious safety measures below the rail pass.
"The contractor mandated with expansion of this bypass should carry the blame for ignoring to put in place safety measures including erection of warning signs to caution both on-foot passengers and moving objects," the lawmaker said.
"We sympathize with the families who have lost loved ones in the incident and are praying for those receiving treatment in hospitals. It's such a sad evening."
The incident happened about 300 meters from where a building under demolition collapsed three weeks ago claiming two lives.
