Kenya Railways trashes blogger’s post of SGR train collision
Kenya Railways Corporation has denied claims that there was an accident on Wednesday involving two of their trains on the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) phase 2A line between the Kimuka tunnel and Nachu station.
They termed the news as fake after it was posted by blogger Robert Alai, who claimed that two trains had collided leaving several workers injured.
“We urge the public to ignore fake news published in a section of social media, alleging that two trains have collided. No such accident has happened,” read a tweet from SGR head office.
We urge the public to ignore fake news published in a section of social media, alleging that two trains have collided on the SGR phase 2A line between the Kimuka tunnel and Nachu station. No such accident has happened. pic.twitter.com/agOwrfUnf3
— CCCC SGR Head Office (@SGRHeadOffice) April 17, 2019
They added that the 120 kilometre SGR Phase 2A line, from Nairobi to Suswa – Narok, is still under construction with 95 per cent complete.
“As such the track is not yet operational and we are currently testing the portion of the track that is complete, ahead of commissioning later in the year,” it added.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development James Macharia said the construction is still going on and there are no trains operating between Nairobi and Naivasha.
“The incident involved construction equipment/trolleys not trains,” said the CS.
As you are aware, construction is still going on and there are no trains operating between Nairobi and Naivasha. The incident involved construction equipment/trolleys not trains.
— CS James Macharia, EGH (@JamesMacharia_) April 17, 2019
In December 2017, two workers died and more than five others were injured while constructing a bridge in Maai Mahiu after strong winds caused a culvert to collapse.