A gas tanker ferrying liquid gas overturned on Mombasa Road near Signature Mall in the Sabaki area of Athi River subcounty, causing significant disruption and raising safety concerns along one of Kenya’s busiest highways. The accident occurred on Wednesday as the tanker was heading from Mombasa towards Nairobi. According to preliminary reports, the driver lost control of the vehicle, which subsequently veered off the road and landed in a ditch.
In a related incident, a mini-truck also overturned less than 100 metres from the location of the gas tanker accident. The mini-truck was reportedly involved in a self-caused road accident, and some eyewitnesses at the scene suggested that it may have triggered the events that led to the gas tanker losing control. The sequence of the two accidents, occurring in such close proximity, brought traffic to a standstill on the busy highway, causing significant delays for motorists travelling to and from Nairobi.
The overturned gas tanker raised immediate safety concerns due to the highly flammable nature of the liquid gas it was transporting. Emergency responders acted swiftly to secure the area and prevent any potential leakage or ignition. Police officers and personnel from the Machakos County fire brigade arrived at the scene to assess the situation and provide assistance.
Authorities cordoned off the affected stretch of road to manage the risk and began directing traffic to alternative routes. Motorists were urged to exercise caution and remain patient as operations continued to recover both vehicles from the ditch. The intervention by traffic officers from the Athi River police station helped restore order and facilitate the controlled flow of vehicles around the accident scene.
Efforts to pull out the gas tanker and the mini-truck from the ditch were ongoing as of the latest reports. The recovery operation involved coordination between law enforcement, emergency services, and heavy recovery vehicles. Given the nature of the cargo being transported by the gas tanker, the recovery process was approached with extreme care to avoid any spillage or fire hazard.
No immediate injuries or fatalities were reported from the incidents, though the situation underscored the need for heightened road safety measures, particularly for vehicles carrying hazardous materials. The cause of the accidents remains under investigation, with authorities expected to carry out a thorough examination to determine whether driver error, mechanical failure, or poor road conditions may have played a role.
The stretch of Mombasa Road where the accidents occurred is a key transport corridor that links the port city of Mombasa to Nairobi and other parts of the country. It frequently handles a high volume of heavy commercial traffic, including fuel tankers, cargo trucks, and public service vehicles. Such accidents, particularly involving hazardous cargo, highlight the vulnerability of this critical infrastructure and the importance of stringent safety protocols for transporters.
In the aftermath of the accident, calls have been renewed for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, regular vehicle inspections, and improved driver training especially for those operating large and potentially dangerous vehicles. Additionally, there have been suggestions for the establishment of designated pull-over and inspection zones along major highways to minimize risks and improve response times in case of emergencies.
