Police in Nairobi County are investigating a tragic accident in which a man was hit and killed by a moving train along the Syokimau–Mlolongo meter-gauge railway line on Saturday evening, October 25, 2025.
According to preliminary police reports, the unidentified man was attempting to cross the railway tracks when he was struck by a train traveling from the Nairobi Central Station toward Syokimau. Witnesses say the train sounded its horn repeatedly, but the man appeared unaware or was too close to avoid the impact.
Residents in the area reported hearing a loud thud and the sound of screeching brakes moments before discovering the body. The impact was so severe that the man’s body was dismembered, with parts scattered along the track.
“It appears he was crossing the line at a point not designated for pedestrians. The injuries were extensive, suggesting the train was moving at considerable speed,” said an officer from the Syokimau Railway Police Unit.
Police and Kenya Railways emergency response teams arrived at the scene shortly after being alerted by train operators. The body was collected and moved to the City Mortuary for identification and post-mortem examination.
Authorities have since launched investigations to establish the victim’s identity and the exact sequence of events leading to the fatal accident.
Rising Railway Fatalities in Nairobi
This incident adds to the growing list of railway-related deaths reported along the busy Nairobi–Syokimau corridor, where several pedestrians have lost their lives while attempting to cross railway lines.
Police and Kenya Railways officials have repeatedly warned residents against using unauthorized crossing points, especially in areas such as Syokimau, Mlolongo, and Embakasi, where the railway runs close to residential estates and footpaths.
“We continue to urge the public to exercise utmost caution near railway lines. Trains cannot stop suddenly, and by the time a person realizes danger, it is often too late,” warned a Kenya Railways safety officer.
Authorities are also considering increasing public safety campaigns and installing warning signage and barriers in high-risk areas to prevent further tragedies.
