The driver of a fuel tanker tragically lost his life in a harrowing road accident at Sikata, a vicinity near Kanduyi town in Bungoma County.
Eyewitnesses to the incident, which unfolded on the outskirts of Bungoma town, recounted that the tanker veered off the road and collided with an electric pole, triggering a blazing inferno at approximately 7 a.m. today.
In a stroke of fortune, a passenger vehicle managed to escape, tumbling into a nearby ditch. Remarkably, all occupants emerged unscathed.
Residents residing along the highway reported hearing three thunderous explosions before an intense blaze erupted, menacingly advancing towards their homes.
“I was woken up by a big, terrifying bang. I ran away for fear of getting burnt. Luckily, the fire cooled,” Peter Wabwoya, whose house is next to the highway, narrated.
Even by 9 a.m., the tarmac retained its searing heat, a testament to the ferocity of the blaze.
As the authorities worked to avert the situation from spiralling out of control, there were no additional fatalities or injuries recorded amidst the growing crowds.
Street urchins were observed scavenging for scraps from the charred remains of the vehicle, a stark reminder of the aftermath.
The accident caused a traffic standstill on the bustling highway and plunged the quaint towns of Sikata into despair due to a power outage.
Sam Oduor is the founder and one of the editors at WKT. With a strong background in Communication and Journalism, Sam is an experienced digital media expert currently building a team of young professionals dedicated to telling the story of our community in a unique, authentic way.
