Five die, nine injured in diesel tanker accident

By Roselyne Obala

Five people died in a road accident involving a diesel tanker and a matatu at Ndengelwa in Bungoma District.

Another person died from gunshot wounds after police fired in the air to keep away a crowd that wanted to siphon diesel from the tanker.

Nine people, including one person with gunshot wounds, were admitted to Bungoma District Hospital in critical condition.

The accident happened after a trailer, which was attempting to overtake a lorry heading to Webuye from Bungoma collided with an oncoming Nissan matatu.

The tanker was ferrying fuel to Luanda, Uganda, when it hit the matatu along the Webuye-Bungoma Highway at around 7.30pm on Tuesday.

After the accident, ensuing rampage and police shooting, Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere sent a team of officers led by Western PCIO Joseph Mugwanya to probe the incident.

Injured by locals

Western PPO King’ori Mwangi also confirmed a superintendent of police who was leading the exercise was injured by locals who were trying to siphon diesel.

Mr King’ori said both vehicles overturned before the trailer caught fire.

He said two passengers on board the matatu died on the spot while three others were pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

Residents who rushed to the scene to rescue the survivors attempted to siphon fuel and over powered the officers.

"Locals pelted the officers, who blocked them from siphoning the diesel, with stones. The officers then called for backup," he explained.

The PPO said officers shot in the air to disperse the surging crowd.

"One person sustained gunshot wounds and died on the spot while others were rushed to hospital," he added.

The driver of the trailer is at large and police have launched a manhunt for him.