By Robert Mutasi 
At least two people sustained injuries after a fuel tanker crashed and burst into flames at Salgaa in the Sachangwan area along the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway on Tuesday morning.
The tanker was involved in an accident near a General Service Unit camp before falling and catching fire. The incident sent huge flames and thick black smoke into the sky, prompting nearby motorists and residents to keep a safe distance from the scene.
According to footage from the scene, the fire engulfed the tanker as members of the public gathered nearby. Some residents moved towards the accident site to assist with rescue efforts, while others tried to retrieve belongings from the area.
Firefighters from the Nakuru County Government later arrived at the scene and worked to contain the blaze. Their response helped prevent the fire from spreading further along the busy highway.
The accident also disrupted traffic on the Nakuru-Eldoret road as motorists slowed down while approaching the affected section.
Authorities had not released an official statement confirming the total number of casualties or the identities of those injured by the time of publication. The condition of the two injured people was also not immediately clear.
Meanwhile, the cause of the crash remained unknown. Police are expected to investigate the circumstances that led to the tanker overturning and subsequently catching fire.
The latest incident has once again raised concerns over road safety along the Sachangwan-Salgaa corridor, which has recorded several serious accidents over the years.
The approximately 20-kilometre stretch has developed a reputation as a dangerous black spot on the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway. Road users have previously linked accidents in the area to speeding, dangerous overtaking, steep sections of the road and mechanical failures, including brake problems.
The area also carries painful memories of the 2009 Sachangwan tanker disaster. More than 110 people died after a fuel tanker overturned and caught fire as members of the public gathered around the vehicle to collect spilled fuel.
Tuesday’s accident comes amid a series of serious road crashes reported in Kenya since the beginning of October.
On Saturday, 17 pilgrims travelling from St Matthias Mulumba Mikindani Parish towards the Subukia Shrine died after a matatu collided with a lorry at Mlima Kiu in the Salama area along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway. Several other passengers sustained injuries.
Two days later, two people were reportedly killed in separate crashes along the Salama-Sultan Hamud stretch. The accidents occurred only a short distance from each other near Salama.
The latest tanker fire has renewed calls for motorists to exercise greater caution on major highways, particularly along sections that have a history of fatal crashes.
Police and road agencies are expected to establish what caused the Salgaa accident and determine whether any safety violations contributed to the incident.