Two individuals lost their lives in Kirinyaga County due to a fuel tanker explosion near River Sagana, causing significant disruption on the Nairobi-Nyeri Highway.
The deceased were reportedly transporting the fuel tanker when the explosion happened under mysterious circumstances, resulting in immediate fatalities on Thursday evening.
Emergency responders quickly arrived at the location and successfully extinguished the fire, averting what authorities described as potential additional casualties.
Their prompt action contained the blaze, which had posed a threat to spread along the highway and adjacent roadside buildings.
The incident paralyzed traffic between Nairobi and Nyeri following the explosion.
Drivers had to utilize a single lane as emergency personnel worked to stabilize the damaged road section.
The explosion also created substantial delays on the Sagana-Karatina-Kagio and Mwea-Embu routes, with some motorists reversing and finding alternative paths due to dense smoke and intense flames.
Firefighters from Murang’a County were called in and eventually controlled the fire after an extensive operation.
During the incident, traffic was completely stalled for over an hour before Sagana traffic police officers came to direct vehicles and restore normal flow.
Inquiries are underway to determine the cause of the explosion, which is currently unknown.
The event has reignited worries, as similar explosions in recent times have led to fatalities, property damage, and severe traffic interruptions.
The Kenya National Highways Authority and other road safety organizations have not yet released a comprehensive evaluation regarding potential structural harm to the affected roadway.