Danger lurking at railway crossings

The existing signs at railway crossing points were installed over a century ago. They have never been attended to despite regular repairs on the rail, writes John Ochieng.

Rail and road infrastructure in the country commonly diverge and rarely converge.Even at the points of convergence, minimal friction has been recorded since the advent of the twin transport sectors.
However, prospects of a looming disaster at the intersection points due to sheer negligence or lack of visible warning signs are high. The country could soon be treated to gory and tragic scenes arising from accidents involving trains and cars and pedestrians due to lack of barriers or warning signs.
Across section of analysts and industry players paint a picture of gloom if nothing is done, warning that the situation was tantamount to courting a disaster.

A survey by Transport in Western and Coastal provinces where the railway line straddles confirmed fears expressed by motorists and pedestrians. The already dangerous situation is compounded by lack of both railways traffic officers and traffic police to lower the barriers and stop motorists whenever trains approach to facilitate smooth passage.

Most of the existing signs are either too dilapidated to serve the purpose or are clearly invisible for motorists raising the probability of an accident. The state of the existing signs only serve to prove that they were put up over a century ago and have never been repaired despite frequent works on roads crossing the railway lines. Those who had a close shave say authorities should act and avert disasters waiting to happen.

Many are the times when trains have missed hitting cars by a whisker largely due to lack of the signs to facilitate communications between captains of the two automobiles.
"The other day a passenger train missed an oil tanker narrowly here and we all scampered for safety, I shudder at what would have happened, it is scary," says Mr Jamleck Owede, in reference to a recent incident at the Kicomi railways crossing along the Kisumu -Busia road where he plies his trade.
"It is by the grace of God that it has not happened but am afraid it could if matters are left as they are," Owede adds.
These sentiments are shared by thousands of others who have witnessed the similar happenings in Nakuru, Kisumu, Butere, parts of Nairobi and Voi.
Like in the developed world where infrastructure development is key, Nairobi, which has the heaviest traffic in the country, is largely safe from such incidences due to the presence of fly-overs at major railways crossings.

Past disasters notwithstanding, experts say it is only a matter of time before the country records an accident of catastrophic proportions. They say the affected can hold the Government and transport service providers accountable.
"It is the responsibility of the state through its traffic wing and service providers to ensure the signs are in place to warn motorists of an intersection ahead whether a train is crossing or not," says Mr Eric Mokasa, a transport consultant in Nairobi.

He reckons that motorists are obligated by law to slow down while approaching railways crossings and that is only possible with the presence of a prominent warning sign.
"Trains do not have emergency brakes like vehicles thus the requirement that they proceed at crossings while vehicles stop and this is only possible when there is proper communication. Lack of it puts both the trains and vehicles at risk," he argues.
Mokasa recommends the construction of fly-overs at all railways crossings as the only sure way of solving the problem. But even with the grim situation on the already troubled transport sectors, authorities could only point accusing fingers at each other over their failure to instal the crucial signs.

When contacted, the Transport Ministry admits the situation is grave but blames it on road contractors who have failed to restore the signs after removing them during their work.
"Most of the signs are destroyed by road contractors but the ministry is consulting with stakeholders to ensure the matter is handled because safety and efficient transport is our priority," Mr Chirau Ali Mwakwere told Transport.
Roads Minister, Mr Kipkalia Kones was, however, non-committal saying his docket was only concerned with constructing roads and marking the signs. "We deal with roads and not rail," he said.
Rift Valley Railways (RVR), the concession running the Kenya-Uganda railways said marking the signs at railway crossings was part of its rail infrastructural development plan that they will undertake soon.

"We inherited a dilapidated railway system and so were the signs but we are going to rehabilitate them. It is part of our business. Safety is our concern and we cannot compromise on that," said RVR managing director, Roy Puffet. Even as the authorities procrastinate, danger continues lurking on the sidelines, waiting to strike, without warning.