At least two people have died and 10 others have been taken to hospital after a petroleum tanker exploded along the Eldoret-Webuye highway.
The Thursday night accident happened near Paul Boit Secondary School in the Juakali area.
Uasin Gishu Police Commander Wilberforce Sichirani said search and rescue operations were continuing as authorities worked to establish the full number of casualties.
The Kenya Red Cross described the explosion as a “mass casualty incident” and deployed emergency teams to the scene.
“A mass casualty incident has occurred along the Eldoret-Webuye Road near Paul Boit Secondary School, following a petroleum tanker explosion,” the humanitarian organisation said.
Ten casualties had been evacuated to hospitals with the help of county ambulances, firefighters, members of the public and Kenya Red Cross emergency teams.
Some of those seriously injured were taken to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret for specialised treatment.
Police were yet to establish what caused the tanker to overturn and explode.
Early accounts indicated that some people may have approached the tanker after the accident before it burst into flames. Police investigations will be important in establishing the sequence of events.
The tragedy again raises a familiar and deadly question in Kenya: why do people approach overturned fuel tankers despite the danger?
Petrol and other fuels give off highly flammable vapours. An overturned tanker can therefore remain extremely dangerous even when there are no visible flames.
A cigarette, vehicle ignition, electrical spark or other ignition source can trigger a fire or explosion.
Kenya has experienced devastating tanker disasters before, including the 2009 Sachangwan tragedy in which more than 100 people died after a tanker overturned and crowds gathered to collect fuel.
For anyone who encounters an overturned fuel tanker, the safest response is to stay well away, warn others against approaching and contact emergency services.
Investigators are expected to establish the cause of the Eldoret-Webuye crash and confirm the final number of casualties.
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