On Friday, March 10, four individuals who were attempting to siphon fuel from a tanker involved in an accident along the Eldoret-Webuye Highway died after the tanker exploded.
Witnesses reported that the tanker lost control and collided with a matatu carrying passengers on the highway.
Residents in the area flocked to the scene with jerrycans and buckets to collect the oil from the tanker, despite the danger involved.
Police officers arrived to protect the freight from the villagers who were illegally collecting the oil.
Teargas canisters were used by the officers to disperse the crowd, resulting in an altercation that caused the tanker to burst into flames.
Two people died immediately, while two others passed away while receiving treatment in nearby hospitals.
Many villagers were also hospitalized for injuries sustained from the fire burns.
Despite warnings against approaching an accident scene involving a fuel tanker, people continue to ignore the risk, as seen in the March 2022 explosion on the Webuye Highway.
The police have yet to comment on the cause of the fire.
