Death Toll Rises to Three After Eldoret–Webuye Petrol Tanker Explosion, 11 Victims Need ICU Care

By Wasike Elvis

The death toll from the deadly petrol tanker explosion along the Eldoret–Webuye Highway near Paul Boit Secondary School in Turbo, Uasin Gishu County, has risen to three, with doctors at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) battling to save dozens of survivors suffering extensive burns.

MTRH Senior Director of Clinical Services Dr Andrew Wandera said the hospital had received 23 patients following the Thursday night inferno, with two victims dying upon arrival and another later succumbing to injuries while undergoing treatment.

“We have so far received a total of 23 patients, where 22 came last night as one was brought this morning, as two passed away on arrival,” Dr Wandera said.

He said seven patients have already been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), while four more are being prepared for admission due to the severity of their injuries.

The hospital assessment shows that the 11 patients requiring intensive care suffered some of the most serious burns, with seven of them sustaining burns covering between 40 and 50 per cent of their bodies.

Three patients have been intubated and placed on ventilatory support, while four others are breathing independently but remain under close monitoring.

“All the patients have burn wounds. The ones who are going to the ICU are the ones who have major burn wounds and require critical care,” Dr Wandera said.

The tragedy has left families at MTRH struggling to come to terms with the deaths while others wait anxiously for updates on relatives fighting for their lives.

Mary Kosgei Chepkogei said her brother, Titus Kiptanui Yego, a father of two who lived near the scene, was among those who died after suffering severe burns.

She appealed for government assistance with funeral arrangements, saying the family had been devastated by the loss.

Another family is mourning the death of 21-year-old Suleiman Kipruto, who was caught up in the fire after residents gathered around the overturned tanker.

His mother, Asha Cherop, said she rushed to the scene after receiving a phone call and found her son confused and repeatedly asking for water.

Kipruto was later taken to MTRH, where he was admitted for treatment, but his mother was informed on Friday morning that he had died in the ICU.

Meanwhile, Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim visited the injured at MTRH and consoled families who lost their loved ones.

Bii said the county government would provide support to families affected by the tragedy and urged residents to donate blood to help the hospital manage the injured.

He also called for the implementation of a directive to redirect transit lorries using the Eldoret–Malaba Highway to the Southern Bypass, saying this could reduce the risks associated with heavy commercial traffic passing through populated areas.

The governor further cautioned members of the public against approaching overturned fuel tankers to siphon fuel, citing the 2009 Sachangwan tanker disaster in which scores of people died in a similar fire.

The tanker overturned along the Eldoret–Webuye corridor before bursting into flames as members of the public reportedly gathered at the scene after fuel began spilling.

Emergency teams, including Kenya Red Cross personnel, police, firefighters and ambulance crews, responded to the incident and evacuated the injured.

Police have launched investigations into the circumstances surrounding the tanker overturning and the subsequent explosion, including what happened after the fuel began spilling.