Part of Nakuru-Eldoret Highway Closed After Fuel Tanker Explodes

A fuel tanker fell and burst into flames shortly after midnight on Tuesday, October 6, at Sachangwan along the Salgaa-Nakuru stretch of the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway, leaving two people injured.

The tanker caught fire after an accident near the General Service Unit (GSU) camp in the area, prompting a multi-agency emergency response as teams moved to contain the blaze.

“A fuel tanker exploded shortly after midnight at Sachangwan, along the Salgaa-Nakuru stretch of the Nakuru-Eldoret highway,” the Kenya Red Cross said.

The Kenya Red Cross said its response team reached the scene and attended to the two casualties as emergency agencies worked to contain the fire.

“Our team attended to two casualties and a multi-agency team has contained the fire,” Kenya Red Cross stated.

Fuel Tanker Explosion Leads to Highway Closure

Meanwhile, authorities closed part of the busy highway to facilitate emergency operations and keep motorists away from the affected section.

“The highway is closed at Kibunja and Soilo interchange. Please use alternative routes,” the agency added.

Also Read: 17 Reportedly Killed in Grisly Crash Involving Matatu and Lorry in Makueni

As a result, motorists using the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway have been advised to avoid the affected section and use alternative routes while emergency teams manage the situation.

The closure could affect traffic along the busy route as responders continue their operations at the scene.

Sachangwan Incident Adds to Recent Road Crashes

The Sachangwan incident adds to a growing list of road accidents reported since the beginning of October, including the deaths of 17 pilgrims at Mlima Kiu in the Salama area along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway on October 3, 2026.

Also Read: EPRA Issues Safety Guidelines After Rise in Petroleum Tanker, LPG Accidents

Two days later, separate crashes along the Salama-Sultan Hamud stretch claimed two more lives, with the incidents occurring a few metres apart and about a kilometre from Salama.

Meanwhile, authorities had not immediately established the cause of the Sachangwan tanker accident, while further details on the condition of the injured people remained unavailable.

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Firefighters from Nakuru County Government putting out the fire from the LPG Tanker explosion at Salgaa along the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway on October 6, 2026. PHOTO/ Engr Kuria Mungai Facebook