The fire that erupted at Nairobi National Park on Friday night disrupted the Madaraka Express Passenger Service train from Nairobi to Mombasa.
The night fire that could be spotted from the Mlolongo area forced the Standard Gauge Railway to temporarily suspend operations as part of the railway line was affected by the inferno.
According to a statement released late on Friday, Kenya Railways said it had delayed the SGR train from Nairobi to Mombasa due to the raging fire.
Kenya Railways said the fire affected the SGR railway line between Nairobi Terminus and Athi River.
“We experienced a 40-minute delay with the departure of the 10.00 pm Madaraka Express Passenger Service train from Nairobi to Mombasa. This was due to a wildfire within Nairobi National Park,” said Kenya Railways.
The train service resumed after the railway line was cleared, allowing travel to the coast.
“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused. As always, your safety is of paramount importance to us,” Kenya Railways said.
The massive fire could be spotted near the Mlolongo area, as seen in various videos and images circulating online. The footage captures towering flames in shades of red and yellow, accompanied by thick plumes of black smoke.
The extent of the damage remains unclear, and it is unknown how far the fire has spread. Preliminary, unverified reports suggest the blaze may have originated as a small bushfire before rapidly growing in intensity.
One video shows the fire igniting near the Standard Gauge Railway line, advancing swiftly across the landscape.
Authorities have yet to release an official statement regarding the incident. Neither the management of the Nairobi National Park, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), nor Tourism Cabinet Secretary Renecca Miano have issued any update on the inferno.
However, a conservation group known as ‘Friends of the Nairobi National Park’ claims that Kenya Wildlife Service firefighters are currently on the scene battling the flames.
The cause of the fire remains undetermined.
