The Kenya Railways Corporation on Sunday, May 17, announced the suspension of repair works on the Metre-Gauge Railway (MGR) line at Kijabe.
The directive came after one worker died from flash floods and ten others were injured while undertaking repairs on a section of the railway, around Kijabe Hill. The section had been washed away by the heavy rains which have pounded the area in recent weeks.
In a statement sent to newsrooms, Kenya Railways disclosed that the ten other workers were evacuated and taken to hospital for treatment.
Photos of the damaged section of the tracks had been widely circulated on, with landslides leaving a large part of the line exposed with nothing beneath it.
It was clearly dangerous, and a posed a threat not just for train staff but for area residents who expressed their surprise and fears.
Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga paid a visit to the area on Sunday, May 17, to assess the extent of the damage caused by the floods.
He passed his condolences to the family of the deceased worker before announcing that he had directed the suspension of operations at the site.
"The team was on a mission to repair a section of the Metre Gauge Railway line that was recently washed away following heavy rains, posing danger to the community around, whilst trying to resume cargo operations.
“Our hearts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of the staff who lost his life during the operation, and we wish a quick recovery to all the affected staff,” he stated.
Mainga was accompanied by a team of engineers expected to come up with solutions on how the damage to the railway line can be safely, effectively repaired.
Kijabe is among areas in the country that have been affected by heavy rains and floods in recent days, with the government revealing that 237 people had, so far, lost their lives due to floods.
In addition, Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa disclosed on Wednesday, May 13 that 161,000 households had also been displaced.
“With rains going on and our dams filling (up), it means more will be affected. We are urging people in flood-prone areas, mudslide prone areas to move to higher grounds,” he stated.
Parts of Central Kenya that lie along tributaries flowing from the Aberdares towards Tana River are among the worst-hit areas.
Other places that have been seriously affected include areas around Lake Victoria, Tana River, Lake Naivasha and Nzoia River.
