The freight train plying the Nairobi-Nanyuki branch line caught fire and stalled shortly after leaving Sagana station on Sunday morning.

The 9:30 am incident occurred when the freight train hauling empty wagons was headed for Nairobi.

The Nairobi-Nanyuki train. PHOTO/COURTESY

Luckily nobody was injured in the incident as the occupants of the train escaped before it was too late.

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The escapees swiftly moved to control the fire with onboard fire extinguisher cans before the fire brigade team from Murang’a station arrived.

The firefighters contained the fire before it could spread and cause further damage to the train.

Kenya Railways has issued a public notice to address the issue. In the notice, Kenya Railways said an electric fault caused the fire.


Kenya Railways deployed a team of engineers to the scene who promptly diagnosed the engine, established the fire's cause, and then made the repairs.

A recovery train was dispatched to the scene to transport the wagons to Nairobi Central Workshops.

Kenya Railways has since been withdrawn the train from service as a safety measure to avoid further damage to the engine.

This is the second incident mishap to be registered on the Nairobi-Nanyuki branch line. Last December a train carrying over 1,500 passengers broke down at Ruthagati.

The Nairobi-Nanyuki passenger train. PHOTO/COURTESY