One dead as oil tankers crash sparks fire along Southern Bypass
A tanker carrying fuel exploded after it flipped over on the Southern Bypass.
This unfortunate event took place near Carnivore on the morning of Saturday, January 24.
According to the Kenya Red Cross, the explosion caused significant traffic disruptions, resulting in a temporary closure of the road.
Motorists are being urged to find alternative routes.
A road traffic incident involving a lorry and a fuel tanker, which led to an explosion, has been reported near Ram Residency along the Southern Bypass. The highway has been temporarily closed. Motorists are advised to use alternative routes,” a statement from the Kenya Red Cross read.
Photos and videos from the scene showed the tanker getting consumed in the inferno with black smoke twisting upward as onlookers watched from a distance.
Police officers, along with responders from the Kenya Red Cross and the Nairobi fire department, rushed to the scene to tackle the fire.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) took action to extinguish a blaze that had engulfed part of Mt Longonot National Park.
This fire broke out on January 21, 2026, and at first, some locals thought it was a volcanic eruption.
However, KWS officials later confirmed that the fire was caused by human activity.
The agency expressed concern as the flames began to spread to surrounding areas.
With the help of local guides and community members, the officers acted swiftly to contain the fire before it could spread any further.
“A wildfire broke out on 21st January 2026, originating from community land and is suspected to be linked to land-clearing activities. The fire spread into parts of Mt. Longonot National Park but was swiftly contained through the joint efforts of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), community guides, and local community members,” a statement from KWS read.
Authorities later clarified that the blaze was not volcanic in origin, contrary to earlier assumptions.
“We wish to inform the public that there is no volcanic activity or eruption associated with the incident,” KWS said.
One dead as oil tankers crash sparks fire along Southern Bypass
