One Dead After Exhauster Truck Rams Into Six Boda Boda Riders in Eldoret
n a separate incident, police were also called to the scene of an accident involving a fuel tanker along the Eldoret-Uganda Highway in the Maili Nne area.
Photo by Hubz Media: A police officer from Eldoret Central Police Station attempts to extinguish a fire engulfing a burning truck.
One person has been reported dead after an exhauster truck lost control and rammed into six boda boda riders along the Eldoret-Malaba Highway on Friday morning.
The accident, which occurred near IVC Church, left several boda boda operators injured and caused significant disruption along the busy highway as police moved to secure the scene and restore traffic flow.
Turbo Sub-County Police Commander Patrick Wekesa confirmed the death, saying the body of the victim had been moved to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash continued.
Wekesa said police were working to establish what caused the exhauster truck to lose control and collide with the boda boda riders.
“The body of the deceased has since been moved to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary as investigations continue,” Wekesa said.
The crash triggered anger among boda boda operators at the scene, with eyewitnesses saying the truck driver allegedly attempted to escape shortly after the accident.
According to witnesses, a group of boda boda operators pursued the driver and caught up with the exhauster truck and torched it. The confrontation later spilled onto the highway, where the operators reportedly barricaded the busy road.
The blockade disrupted traffic operations along the Eldoret-Malaba Highway, with motorists forced to slow down or seek alternative routes as the situation unfolded.
Police were subsequently called in to contain the situation and prevent further confrontation between the boda boda operators and the truck driver.
Wekesa cautioned the riders against retaliating or taking matters into their own hands, urging them to allow the police to investigate the accident and establish responsibility.
“We are warning boda boda operators against taking the law into their own hands,” Wekesa said. “Anyone who witnesses an incident should report it to the police and allow the law to take its course.”
The police commander said investigations would establish the events leading to the crash, including how the exhauster truck lost control and what happened immediately after the collision.
He also urged members of the public to remain calm and avoid actions that could further endanger road users or disrupt traffic.
The accident comes amid growing concerns over road safety along major highways serving Eldoret and neighbouring areas, where heavy commercial vehicles, public transport vehicles and boda boda operators share busy roads.
The identities of the deceased and injured persons had not been made public at the time of reporting.
Separate Fuel Tanker Accident Reported
In a separate incident, police were also called to the scene of an accident involving a fuel tanker along the Eldoret-Uganda Highway in the Maili Nne area.
The tanker was reportedly involved in an accident, although no casualties had been reported by the time of reporting.
Police moved to cordon off the area following the incident to keep members of the public away from the tanker and prevent possible fuel siphoning.
Authorities were particularly concerned about crowds gathering around the accident scene, where spilled or accessible fuel could pose a serious safety risk.
Police officers secured the area as investigations into the tanker accident continued.
Motorists using the Eldoret-Uganda Highway were urged to exercise caution while approaching the affected section and to follow instructions issued by police officers managing the scene.
The two incidents occurred along key transport corridors in and around Eldoret, highlighting the need for motorists and other road users to exercise greater caution, particularly on busy highways used by heavy commercial vehicles.
Police said investigations into both incidents were ongoing.
About Author
