Dash for fuel thwarted as tanker overturns along Kisumu-Busia highway

Transport was paralyzed along the Busia-Kisumu highway following an accident involving a tanker.

The incident sent shivers among locals, with the tanker veering off the road near Matayos market in Busia County.

Witnesses said the driver of the Busia-bound truck lost control of the vehicle upon reaching the area.

Moments after the tanker swerved off the road, fuel was spilled across the busy road.

Police officers and fire fighters arrived at the scene, preventing locals from siphoning the fuel.

The authorities warned locals against siphoning fuel from overturned fuel tankers noting that this can potentially expose them to harm or even death. 

In January 31, 2009 at least 130 people died after a tanker exploded at Sachangwan along the Nakuru-Eldoret highway.

Two years later, 120 others were burned to death as they tried to siphon oil from a pipeline in Sinai slums in Nairobi. The September 12, 2011 incident left at least 100 others hospitalized.

In 2018, twelve people died after a fuel tanker rammed into a matatu on on the Eldoret-Webuye highway.