At least four people have died after a Kenya Railways Corporation train and a staff bus belonging to the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) collided at a railway crossing near the Morendat Training and Conference Centre in Naivasha on Thursday.

The bus, carrying employees returning from a morning training session, attempted to cross the tracks when it was hit by a train, according to local reports.

Emergency teams, including the Kenya Red Cross, recovered at least four bodies from the wreckage, while KPC confirmed that all injured staff were quickly evacuated to hospitals in Naivasha, with some critically injured being airlifted for urgent care. 

Local media and police sources, however, reported a higher death toll, at least six, with some outlets claiming up to eight fatalities.

It's reported that eyewitness accounts and preliminary investigations suggest the tragedy may have resulted from the bus driver crossing without verifying that the tracks were clear. Poor visibility, particularly due to heavy rain and fog, is also believed to have played a role.

KPC and Kenya Railways both activated emergency response protocols immediately. KPC’s managing team assured that welfare and psychosocial support units have been deployed to assist affected families, and updated their commitment to providing continuous support as the situation unfolds.

As official investigations begin, calls for heightened safety measures at railway crossings are growing across local and national platforms.

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