Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, Opiyo Wandayi, has, on August 8, 2025, issued a statement following a fatal accident in Naivasha that claimed nine lives.

The collision occurred on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at a railway crossing near the Morendat Training and Conference Centre (MTCC) in Nakuru County, involving a Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) staff bus and a Kenya Railways train.

Wandayi confirmed that the bus was transporting 32 staff members who had just completed their morning shift when the tragedy struck.

Four KPC employees and five workers from a contracted cleaning service provider lost their lives. Several others sustained injuries, with the critically injured airlifted to Nairobi for specialised treatment, while the rest were rushed to nearby Naivasha hospitals.

“It is with a heavy heart that the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum announces the passing of 9 people, four (4) Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) staff from Morendat Training and Conference Centre and five (5) staff from a contracted cleaning service provider in a tragic road accident,” read part of the statement.

Swift Response and Support to Victims

The ministry’s statement commended the quick action of first responders, members of the public, and KPC emergency crews, who worked tirelessly to rescue and evacuate passengers. “My deepest thoughts and heartfelt prayers are with the families of the nine individuals we lost, as well as with those who are currently receiving treatment,” read the statement.

KPC Managing Director Joe Sang confirmed in a separate statement that all injured staff had been moved to hospitals for medical attention, with airlifts arranged for those in critical condition. Principal Secretary for Petroleum Mohamed Liban and the MD visited the site and hospitals to offer support to survivors and the bereaved.

Investigation Underway

Authorities have launched a joint investigation with various government agencies to establish the cause of the collision. Early reports indicate that weather conditions, including heavy rainfall and fog, may have reduced visibility in the area, which is known for its railway crossings. The ministry pledged to provide updates as the probe continues.

The accident scene, along the Nakuru–Nairobi highway, was described as grim, with the bus extensively damaged and the freight train largely intact. Local residents who rushed to the site were among the first to pull survivors from the wreckage before professional rescue teams arrived.

Call for Safety Measures

The ministry urged the public to avoid the accident site as emergency crews, Kenya Railways, and KPC work to clear debris and restore the area. The CS noted that the incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced safety protocols at railway crossings nationwide.

The Ministry and KPC have committed to supporting the affected families and reviewing safety measures to prevent similar tragedies, as the country mourns the loss of lives in one of the most serious transport accidents in recent months.