Kenya Railway has issued a warning to motorists ahead of the December festive season following a spike in cases of train obstruction at railway level crossings.
In a statement released on Tuesday evening, government agency cautioned that the rising trend of motorists blocking or ignoring oncoming trains has led to many avoidable accidents along the Metre Gauge Railway network.
The agency noted that some road users have been disregarding established safety rules, putting not only themselves but also pedestrians, passengers and train crews at immediate risk.
According to the notice, conduct that obstructs safe movement of trains is a criminal offence and attracts legal penalties under existing transport and safety laws.
In the public notice, Kenya Railways warned that offenders will not be spared. “Any road user who interferes with the safe movement of trains is liable to prosecution, penalties, and full responsibility for any resulting damage, injury, or loss of life.”
Kenya Railways issued the warning weeks after at least eight people perished and several others sustained injuries in different train accidents resulting from railway blockages.
Last week, at least two people were injured after a train collided with a truck along the Pamusu-Lusaka Road in Bungoma County.
According to reports, the driver of the truck attempted to cross the railway line while the train approached and then lost control of the vehicle, subsequently leading to the crash.
Witnesses recounted that the train crew sounded the horn to alert the truck driver before the impact, but he did not act in time to avoid the collision.
The incident mirrored an almost similar previous accident in Naivasha, where a cargo train collided with a Kenya Pipeline Company bus at Morendat Junction, resulting in six fatalities.
The incident, which happened on Thursday, August 7, occurred when the bus, which had passengers inside, attempted to cross the railway line in front of the oncoming train.
Although the train driver reportedly applied emergency brakes, the distance was too short to stop in time and avoid the crash.
