Three Dead, 20 Hospitalized After Uasin Gishu Fuel Tanker Explosion
Among those who died was 21-year-old Suleiman Kiprotich, a car washer who used his earnings to support his family.
Photo: Courtesy.
By Onchwari Collins
ELDORET, UASIN GISHU
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2026
Three people have died and 20 others remain hospitalized following a fuel tanker explosion along the Eldoret-Webuye Highway near Paul Boit Secondary School in Uasin Gishu County.
Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) Senior Director of Clinical Services Dr Andrew Wandera said the facility had received 23 male casualties following Thursday night’s fire, with two victims pronounced dead on arrival and another later succumbing to injuries while receiving treatment.
“We have so far received a total of 23 patients, where 22 came last night and one was brought this morning, as two passed away on arrival,” Dr Wandera said.
The hospital said 11 patients require intensive care, with seven already admitted to the ICU. The remaining four were being prepared for admission.
“We have admitted so far seven in the Intensive Care Unit as 11 are required to be at ICU. The remaining four are being prepared,” Dr Wandera said.
“The ones who are going to the ICU are the ones who have major burned wounds and require critical care.”
The medical team said all the patients sustained burn injuries, with the most severe cases affecting between 40 and 50 per cent of their bodies.
Some of the victims suffered burns to the face and upper airways, raising concerns over breathing complications. Three patients have been intubated and placed on ventilatory support, while four others remain able to breathe without mechanical assistance but are under close observation.
Among those who died was 21-year-old Suleiman Kiprotich, a car washer who used his earnings to support his family.
Another victim, Titus Kiptanui Yego, aged about 48, lived in the Jua Kali area and left behind a wife and two children. He was among those who suffered extensive burns and was burnt beyond recognition.
Yego’s relative, Elvis Kipchirchir Lagat, also sustained severe burns and remains in critical condition in the ICU.
For Mary Kosgei Chepkogei, Yego’s sister, the family is struggling to cope with the loss.
“He has left behind a young family of two. We are asking the government to support us with the burial arrangements,” she said.
Meanwhile, Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim has appealed to members of the public to donate blood to support the treatment of the survivors.
Bii made the appeal after visiting victims at MTRH, saying the severely burned patients had lost significant amounts of blood and urgently required transfusions.
“We want to appeal to the people and Wananchi that these patients now require blood for them to be saved. I want people, especially those from around the families, to donate blood so that we can help sustain these people and give them another life,” Bii said.
He urged residents, relatives and well-wishers to report to the MTRH blood bank and donate blood as doctors continue treating the survivors.
Preliminary accounts indicate that some of the victims were injured while attempting to siphon fuel from the tanker after it overturned.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the explosion, including how the fire started and why members of the public gathered around the overturned tanker.
Bii also cautioned residents against approaching overturned fuel tankers to collect fuel, pointing to the dangers associated with such incidents.
Families remained at MTRH as medical teams continued efforts to stabilise the injured and provide critical care to those with extensive burns.
About Author
