Police Intervene after Residents Try to Siphon Fuel from Derailed Train in Uasin Gishu

A freight train derailed in Soy, Uasin Gishu County, on Tuesday shortly before midday, prompting police to intervene after residents attempted to siphon leaking fuel from the scene.

The locomotive reportedly left the tracks while passing through a blocked section of the railway line, causing the lead engine to detach from the wagons behind it. Several wagons were left tilted against each other, with fuel leaking onto the ground, according to images shared online.

The fuel spill attracted residents who arrived carrying jerrycans and other containers to collect the leaking fuel. Police officers were deployed to the area within minutes, dispersing the crowd and securing the site to prevent further risk.

Authorities instructed residents to stay away from the derailment site to allow railway officials and emergency teams to stabilise the wagons and manage the spill. Police warned that siphoning fuel from accident scenes poses serious safety risks and interferes with emergency operations.

No injuries were reported in the Soy incident. However, the derailment comes amid a series of railway accidents reported in Kenya this year. In August, eight people were killed in Naivasha, Nakuru County, when a company bus collided with a cargo train at the Morendat crossing. 

The bus, which was transporting workers after their morning shift, attempted to cross the tracks in front of the train. Six passengers died at the scene, while two later succumbed to their injuries.

Investigations found that the train dragged the bus for more than 200 metres, leaving it severely damaged. Railway officials are now working to repair the damaged section of track in Uasin Gishu while reviewing safety measures.