Passengers stranded after Nairobi–Nyahururu train derails at Ol Kalou

Passengers found themselves stranded after a passenger train bound for Nyahururu derailed near Ol Kalou in Nyandarua County, causing a halt in services on the recently reactivated railway line. The incident occurred as the train neared Ol Kalou Station when two wheels on a carriage reportedly detached from the track. Railway authorities swiftly responded to the scene, evaluating the extent of the damage.

There were no immediate signs of injuries among the stranded passengers. Some opted to travel by road to reach Nyahururu or make their way back to Nairobi. Eyewitnesses reported the derailment to have happened close to the station, with parts of the affected carriage moving off the track. Visual evidence from the area included the stationary passenger train along the railway line, with onlookers gathering near the station.

The disruption to the Nairobi-Nyahururu service, which traverses through Gilgil and Ol Kalou before concluding in Nyahururu, was brief. Railway personnel assessed the problematic section and worked to restore rail movement. This derailment occurs months after the reopening of the Nairobi-Nyahururu railway line after a 46-year hiatus.

The metre-gauge railway, which passes through Gilgil and Ol Kalou, saw its revival in June 2026 following rehabilitation efforts. The service runs twice a week, offering an economical option at approximately KSh 600 for the full journey. The railway also aims to facilitate the transport of agricultural produce and other goods between Nyandarua, Nakuru, Laikipia, and other serviced counties.

Freight operations have been reinstated, including the delivery of fertilizers, as Kenya Railways endeavors to rejuvenate activity along the corridor. Passengers are now awaiting information on the cause of the derailment and updates on when services will resume. Railway staff are tasked with examining the impacted carriage and track before normal operations can be reinstated.

The Ol Kalou derailment has reignited discussions about the condition of the metre-gauge railway as passenger services expand onto routes that had been dormant for years. The region is now relying on Kenya Railways for updates regarding the cause of the derailment and any changes to the affected service.