Two workers died after wind collapsed a section of SGR

Kenya Railways Managing Director Atanas Maina has finally talked about the Monday, December 18 incident that left two Nairobi – Naivasha Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project workers dead.

An extension of the Nairobi-Nakuru Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) was temporarily paralysed during the late afternoon incident near in Satellite Mai Mahiu as more than five other workers were injured. The injured were rushed to Kijabe Mission Hospital.

The victims had spent the better part of the day working on a section of the railway line when a culvert caved in, burying them alive.

A worker who talked to the media said they did not have helmets and other protective gear while working on the culvert hence the fatalities.

After the incident, Mai Mahiu OCS Ezra Sambu said they were starting investigations and would establish if negligence caused the collapse.

Kenya Railways Managing Director Atanas Maina issued a statement

Mr. Maina issued a statement on Friday, December 22 saying that the culvert, which was under construction, collapsed as an effect of an abnormally strong wind.

“An abnormally strong wind caused the enforcement bars of the culvert under construction to collapse. Further investigations are ongoing to ascertain the actual cause of the incident,” he said.

He, however, refuted claims that the workers did not have protective gear while working on the culvert. “Kenya Railways has since the construction of Phase 1 of the project strictly ensured the contractor abides by labour laws and safety procedures in all matters,” he continued.

The Kenya Railways director then assured families of the affected that SGR contractor, China Road, and Bridge Construction Company, would cater for the funeral expenses and hospital bills.

He said he has instructed the SGR contractor to make adjustments to reorganise the working shifts, and offer paid leave to the affected in a bid to allow time for the healing process.