Tanker rams into hospital ward

By Sammy Jakaa

A petroleum tanker lost control and rammed into Amagoro Nursing Home in Malaba.

The tanker, which was suspected to be over speeding, crushed into the hospital ward along the Bungoma-Malaba highway just after midnight on Wednesday.

No one was injured but the crash destroyed hospital facilities estimated to be worth hundreds of thousands of shillings.

Patients who had been admitted at the facility had luckily all been discharged earlier in the day.

A petroleum tanker, suspected to have been overspeeding, lost control and rammed into Amagoro Nursing Home in Malaba. The driver and his conductor ran away to escape the wrath of angry residents. Photo: Sammy Jakaa/Standard

Bishop Zakayo Epus of the Anglican Church Katakwa Diocese said it was a miracle since the tanker did not burst into flames on impact.

The police suspect that the driver had fallen asleep or was drunk since the road was very clear at the time of the accident.

The driver and his conductor ran away as they feared attacks from angry residents who said Amagoro Nursing Home was their most reliable hospital in the area.

"How can a driver leave the road that is clear and run into a hospital ward? We need the driver to explain to us what happened before we conclude it to be another terror attempt. What if the patients were in?" asked Peter Odikor, a resident.

This accident happened against a backdrop of the absence of fire engines in the whole of Busia County. Despite the county being a transit point for large fuel tankers crossing over to Uganda, Malaba Town Council does not have a single fire engine.

The nearest fire brigade to Malaba is about 130 kilometers away in Eldoret, a distance that can take over two hours to cover.

Bishop Epus said they phoned the Kenya Power office in Bungoma in vain as their calls went unanswered.

This continued to expose the area to risk of a fire outbreak and residents were advised to keep away from the scene.

"Something must be done to these power guys in Bungoma and Busia because they either ignore distress calls or they are unable to respond. You can imagine if this tanker burst into flames," said Isaac Etyang.