By Robert Mutasi 
Three people have died while 20 others are receiving treatment at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) after a fuel tanker exploded along the Eldoret-Webuye Highway near Paul Boit Secondary School.
The Thursday night incident left dozens of people with serious burn injuries after the tanker overturned and caught fire, with some of those at the scene reportedly attempting to collect fuel.
MTRH Senior Director of Clinical Services Dr Andrew Wandera said the hospital had received 23 male casualties, two of whom were declared dead when they arrived at the facility.
A third patient later died while undergoing 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 the injuries ranged from extensive burns to the face and upper airway, with the most serious cases involving burns covering between 40 and 50 per cent of the body.
Eleven patients require intensive care, with seven already admitted to the ICU. Four others were being prepared for admission as doctors assessed their condition.
“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,” Wandera said.
He added that the patients being moved to intensive care were those with major burns requiring close monitoring and advanced medical support.
Three victims have been intubated and placed on ventilators because of the severity of their injuries. Four others are breathing without mechanical support but remain under close observation.
Among those who died was 21-year-old Suleiman Kiprotich, a car washer who supported his family through his work.
Titus Kiptanui Yego, estimated to be 48 years old, was also killed in the incident. Yego lived in Jua Kali and left behind a wife and two children. His body was among those burnt beyond recognition.
Yego’s relative, Elvis Kipchirchir Lagat, sustained serious burns and is currently receiving treatment in the ICU.
Yego’s sister, Mary Kosgei Chepkogei, appealed for government assistance as the family prepares to lay him to rest.
“He has left behind a young family of two. We are asking the government to support us with the burial arrangements,” she said.
Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim, who visited the injured at MTRH, has meanwhile appealed for blood donations to support the victims undergoing treatment.
Bii said patients with extensive burns require blood transfusions and called on residents, relatives and well-wishers to donate at the MTRH blood bank.
“We want to appeal to the people and Wananchi that these patients now require blood for them to be saved,” Bii said.
He urged members of the public to respond to the appeal and help medical teams sustain the survivors as they continue with treatment.
The governor also cautioned residents against approaching overturned fuel tankers to siphon fuel, saying such actions expose people to potentially fatal fires.
Police and other agencies are investigating the circumstances that led to the tanker overturning and the subsequent fire.
Investigators are also expected to establish what happened before the explosion and why members of the public gathered around the tanker despite the risks associated with leaking petroleum products.
At MTRH, families continued to wait for updates as doctors worked to stabilise patients suffering from severe burns and other injuries.