A section of the Kibunja–Salgaa Road has been closed following a collision involving an ethanol tanker and a trailer carrying timber at Sachangwan.
Both vehicles caught fire after the crash, with the flames spreading to nearby bushes. The fire was later brought under control.
The accident has caused heavy traffic congestion in the area as authorities manage the scene. Police said no injuries were reported.
A black spot with a grim history
Sachangwan, along the Nakuru–Eldoret highway, is one of the most notorious accident black spots in the country. The stretch's combination of a steep descent, sharp bends and heavy truck traffic has claimed dozens of lives over the years, prompting repeated calls from residents and road safety campaigners for engineering interventions such as climb lanes, speed cameras and rumble strips.
Tanker accidents on this corridor are particularly dangerous. Vehicles carrying flammable cargo — whether fuel, ethanol or gas — can turn a routine collision into a major emergency, endangering not only motorists but also residents and businesses near the road.
Emergency response
Firefighters and police worked to contain the blaze and clear the wreckage before the road could reopen. In incidents involving chemical or fuel loads, emergency crews must first establish what is burning before choosing how to attack the fire, which often prolongs closures.
Motorists plying the Kibunja–Salgaa stretch were advised to use alternative routes and to exercise caution around emergency scenes.
What road users should know
Traffic police have in the past urged truck drivers to use lower gears on the descent toward Sachangwan and to keep safe following distances. For ordinary motorists, the recurring accidents on this stretch underline the importance of overtaking only in designated zones and obeying speed limits, especially where heavy commercial vehicles are present.
