The death toll from the horrific fuel tanker accident and fire along the Eldoret–Turbo Road in Uasin Gishu County has risen to six people, according to an update carried by Citizen TV on September 23, 2026. The latest fatality was another victim who succumbed while receiving treatment at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret. 

The tragedy happened in the Paul Boit area of Turbo, along the busy Eldoret–Webuye highway, after a fuel tanker was involved in a collision and subsequently caught fire. The incident initially left several people with serious burns, many of whom were rushed to MTRH for emergency treatment. Earlier reports had put the number of confirmed deaths at two and later three, but the toll has continued to rise as critically injured victims succumbed to their injuries. 

How the Turbo accident happened

The accident involved a fuel tanker that was transporting petroleum products towards Western Kenya. According to police accounts reported after the incident, the tanker was involved in a collision with a saloon vehicle near Paul Boit High School.

The impact caused the tanker to overturn and fuel began leaking onto the road. Members of the public who arrived at the scene reportedly gathered around the overturned tanker. Some were attempting to collect or siphon fuel from the damaged vehicle when the tanker suddenly burst into flames.

The resulting fire caused a mass-casualty situation, with several people suffering severe burns. The Kenya Red Cross described the incident as a mass-casualty event and joined police and firefighters in the emergency response. 

The circumstances surrounding the exact ignition of the fuel were initially unclear. Uasin Gishu police said investigations were underway, while officials indicated that the tanker was carrying petrol and diesel in separate compartments. 

Death toll now stands at six

The latest update is significant because the number of people who have died has increased considerably since the accident occurred.

Initial reports indicated that two people died at the scene following the explosion. A third victim later died at MTRH while undergoing treatment. By September 23, Citizen TV reported that the number of fatalities had increased to six after another injured victim succumbed at MTRH. 

There had therefore been a continuing deterioration in the condition of some survivors who suffered extensive burns.

This means that the tragedy is no longer being viewed simply as a tanker crash but as a major fire-related mass-casualty incident, with hospitals and emergency responders dealing with people suffering serious injuries.

Several victims suffered severe burns

The injuries sustained in the fire were particularly serious because the victims were exposed to intense flames after the tanker exploded.

MTRH previously reported that dozens of survivors had been admitted for treatment. At one point, 22 victims were receiving treatment, with seven of them in critical condition after suffering burns affecting large portions of their bodies. Some victims had burns covering between 40 and 50 per cent of their bodies. 

Doctors also reported that some patients required intensive care and respiratory support. Three critically injured patients had been intubated, while others were being closely monitored because of the severity of their burns. 

The continued deaths demonstrate the seriousness of the injuries suffered during the explosion. Burn victims can require prolonged specialised treatment, intensive monitoring and, in severe cases, support for breathing and other vital functions.

MTRH becomes the centre of emergency treatment

Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital became one of the main facilities handling victims of the Turbo tanker disaster.

Medical teams were mobilised to treat the large number of injured people brought to the facility. The hospital reported that some victims arrived in extremely serious condition, requiring immediate emergency treatment.

Earlier reports from MTRH indicated that seven patients had been placed in intensive care after suffering severe burns. Other survivors had burns to their faces and different parts of their bodies and remained under medical observation. 

The hospital's role has therefore been crucial in efforts to save the lives of those who survived the initial explosion.

However, despite the efforts of doctors and other healthcare workers, some victims have continued to succumb to their injuries.

Warning over approaching fuel tanker accidents

The Turbo tragedy has also renewed warnings to members of the public about the dangers of approaching overturned fuel tankers.

On September 22, Uasin Gishu County firefighters warned residents against going near fuel tanker accident scenes. Officials said crowds often gather around such incidents, with some people attempting to collect fuel.

County Director of Fire and Disaster Management Fredrick Serem said the Paul Boit incident was among recent accidents where members of the public rushed to the scene to siphon fuel. Fire officials warned that such behaviour can interfere with emergency operations and expose people to potentially fatal fires and explosions. 

The firefighters also raised concerns about boda boda operators transporting large crowds to accident scenes. According to the officials, such crowds can make it difficult for firefighters and other emergency responders to access the affected area.

Why leaking fuel is extremely dangerous

The Turbo accident provides a tragic reminder that fuel leaking from a damaged tanker should never be treated as an opportunity to collect free fuel.

Petroleum products such as petrol are highly flammable. When fuel leaks from an overturned tanker, vapour can spread over a considerable area. An ignition source can then cause the vapour or fuel to catch fire rapidly.

This makes the immediate surroundings of an overturned fuel tanker extremely dangerous.

Firefighters responding to such incidents use specialised procedures to control the situation. Moving close to the tanker, attempting to open containers or using metal objects around a leaking fuel vehicle can increase the danger.

The Uasin Gishu fire officials have therefore urged residents to leave such scenes to trained emergency personnel. 

Families left mourning

Beyond the official death toll, the accident has caused deep distress among families whose relatives were involved.

Earlier reports described relatives arriving at MTRH searching for loved ones who had been taken to the hospital after the explosion. Some families received devastating news when victims failed to recover from their burns.

One of the victims identified in earlier reporting was a young man who worked at a car wash along the highway. His family said he had been badly burned and later died while undergoing treatment. 

The deaths have therefore affected not only those who were at the accident scene but also families who depended on the victims.

Authorities investigating the incident

Police and other authorities have been investigating the circumstances that led to the collision and subsequent explosion.

According to police, the tanker had collided with another vehicle before overturning. The resulting fuel leak attracted members of the public. The tanker then caught fire while people were around it. 

Authorities have also been examining what caused the fire to start after the collision.

The investigation is important because it could help establish the precise chain of events—from the initial collision to the fuel leak, the gathering of people at the scene and the subsequent explosion.

Emergency responders faced a difficult situation

The accident presented a major challenge to emergency responders because they had to deal with fire, fuel, injured people and a large crowd at the same time.

Kenya Red Cross teams worked together with police and firefighters after the incident was declared a mass-casualty event. Emergency officials urged motorists to keep away from the area to allow rescue teams to operate without obstruction. 

Such incidents require coordination because firefighters must first make the area safe before medical teams can safely reach injured people.

The presence of leaking fuel and flames can also make it dangerous for members of the public to participate in rescue efforts without appropriate equipment and training.

The wider road-safety concern

The Turbo tragedy has also drawn attention to the dangers associated with petroleum tankers operating on busy highways.

The Eldoret–Webuye road is an important transport corridor connecting parts of western Kenya with Eldoret and other regions. A serious tanker accident on such a road can therefore have consequences for motorists, pedestrians, businesses and nearby communities.

When a tanker carrying petroleum products overturns, the risks extend beyond the occupants of the vehicles involved. Fire, explosions and fuel contamination can affect people who gather at the scene or happen to be nearby.

The latest death toll makes the incident another serious reminder of the importance of road safety and emergency preparedness.

Current situation

As of the September 23, 2026 update, the key development is that the death toll from the Turbo tanker accident has reached six. Citizen TV reported that the latest victim died while receiving treatment at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret. 

Earlier hospital reports had indicated that numerous injured people were being treated at MTRH, including patients with severe burns who required intensive care. 

The authorities continue to warn members of the public against approaching overturned fuel tankers or attempting to collect leaking fuel.

The incident has left families grieving, medical teams treating severely burned survivors and authorities examining how the accident and subsequent explosion occurred.