Witnesses of the train accident that occurred in Lugari, Kakamega County, on Wednesday, March 19, have recounted the last moments leading to the tragedy.
Speaking to the press on Thursday, a resident who was tending to his farm when he spotted the train derailing noted that attempts to alert the freight driver proved futile.
The witness revealed that he saw the wheels of the last two wagons coming off each at a time, but according to him, the driver was too reluctant to take his advice.
"I was carrying out farming activities near the railway line when I suddenly saw the wheels of the train coming off. I tried to alert the driver and told him to reduce the speed," said the first witness.
According to the second witness, during the accident, about ten wagons carrying unprocessed wheat fell, prompting attention from the area residents who rushed to the scene.
While detailing the incident, the residents faulted the police officers for allegedly stopping them from accessing and taking away the unprocessed wheat grains.
“I came to pick wheat but the police officers have sent me away yet this is a mere accident, so what do they expect our children to eat?” lamented a local.
Reports suggest that the locomotive was en route to Uganda from Mombasa when it derailed and rolled over the steep valley, leading to the wheat spillage.
Videos and images of the incident shared online showed several train wagons leaning on the side while the front part of the train remained intact. Nonetheless, no casualties or injuries were reported.
The footage also showed residents standing at a distance as police officers cordoned off the scene to prevent unauthorised access by the rowdy locals.
It is not the first time such an accident has been witnessed in the country, in September last year, a freight train ferrying unrefined oil derailed in Kibwezi, Makueni County.
The train which was travelling from Nairobi to Mombasa lost control and veered off the railway gauge leading to the accident. Upon noticing the accident, the locals rushed to siphon the oil.
However, police officers who were on high alert intervened and stopped the residents from interference, no casualties were reported from the tragedy.
