The death toll from the fuel tanker tragedy that took place on Saturday night in Western Kenya has hit 17 after two more people succumbed to injuries.
The tanker collided with another vehicle along Kisumu-Busia highway and overturned. The residents rushed to siphon off fuel, but the tanker exploded, killing thirteen people on the spot. Two others died in the hospital on Monday.
The latest deaths are among the 29 survivors who sustained severe injuries and receiving treatment in various hospitals.
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A day after the area MP Elisha Odhiambo announced that the tragedy victims will receive $500 each, Governor Cornel Rasanga has also promised to waive hospital bills for the victims and lend hands to families that lost their members.
Rasanga added that a mausoleum will be built at the scene with the names of those who have died in their memory.
In partnership with the Kenya National Highway Authority, he further noted that his government will educate the public about the dangers of fuel siphoning along the highway.
Meanwhile, another tanker overturned in Kisumu about 56km from the first scene on Monday night, but the police guarded it to prevent locals from siphoning fuel.
According to the police, the 7:30 incident transpired when the tanker’s driver tried to negotiate a sharp bend to join the Kisumu-Nairobi highway.
The security officers cordoned off the area all night to prevent a similar accident, said Kisumu police boss Samuel Anampiu.
Eyewitnesses revealed the tanker’s driver sustained minor injuries as police try to trace his whereabouts.
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