Traffic snarl up as truck bursts into flames on Kericho-Kisumu Highway

The truck caught fire and burst into flames along Kericho – Kisumu Highway

A driver of a truck carrying cement manufacturing materials narrowly escaped a fiery death after the vehicle caught fire and burst into flames along the Kericho – Kisumu Highway near Moi Kipsitet Girls High School.

A shaken William Gitau, whose truck's  wreckage was smoldering with the smoke billowing high up in the sky  as we conducted the interview, said he was on his way from Mombasa to deliver material to Rai cement manufacturing company branch in Soin Ward  when the truck’s tyres – unexplainably-caught fire.

The accident occurred around 6PM at the location near the sleepy Kipsitet trading center located near the border of Kericho and Kisumu County.  

“I only managed to grab a few personal items as I quickly jumped out of the burning vehicle to save my life,” he said.

The fire incident caused a lengthy traffic jam with drivers of motor vehicles driving in opposite directions near the accident scene sitting anxiously in their vehicles with some opting to make hasty U- turns.

Fire trucks from Finlays Tea Company and the County government were reportedly rushing to the scene by the time of going to the press.

“We are trying to contain the fire as we await for the fire engines to arrive,” said Kipsitet trader popularly known as Ten Ten.

Kericho East Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD) Justus Kitetu said he had dispatched first responders to the accident scene as he asked for more time before issuing a comprehensive statement.