By Reuben Olita
A long-distance truck driver sustained serious injuries after a gas cylinder exploded inside the cabin of his truck in Malaba on Wednesday morning.
The driver was transporting wheat grains from the Port of Mombasa to Uganda when the incident occurred at around 8:00am.
Confirming the incident, Teso North Sub-County Police Commander (OCPD) Charles Chepkong’a said police were alerted shortly after the explosion, prompting swift response by officers, including the Officer Commanding Station (OCS), Joyce Syonga who arrived at the scene without delay.
Chepkong’a said the injured driver was rushed to Kocholia Sub-County Hospital, where he received first aid before being transferred to Busia County Referral Hospital for specialized treatment.
“The driver sustained serious facial and hand injuries following a gas explosion inside the cabin, which caused the front part of the truck to catch fire,” Chepkong’a said. The driver was believed to be preparing breakfast but he slept, leading to the dozed off.
He added that the container ferrying wheat grains was not damaged, noting that arrangements were underway to transfer the consignment to an alternative trailer for delivery to its final destination. The OCPD said that he had mandated the OCS to carry thorougher investigations into the incident.
The police boss commended members of the public for their quick intervention, as well as the fire brigade, which responded to the distress call and managed to prevent the fire from spreading to other trucks parked nearby.
However, residents raised concerns over the delayed arrival of the fire engine, which reportedly took over 40 minutes to reach the scene from Busia town. By the time it arrived, the truck cabin had been completely reduced to ashes.
The incident has renewed calls for Busia Governor Paul Otuoma to return the Malaba Municipality fire engine, which was previously stationed at the Amagoro Police Patrol Base but was later relocated to the Busia County headquarters.
Residents claim the engine has been undergoing repairs in Nairobi for over nine months after the county allegedly failed to settle servicing costs.
Police intervention averted a potential catastrophe, as several long-distance fuel tankers were temporarily rerouted through Angurai, while trucks carrying non-hazardous goods were allowed to proceed to the One-Stop Border Post.
Sources at the scene said the driver had parked near Taifa Lodge to rest overnight before resuming his journey to Uganda.
The incident comes barely three days after a devastating fire razed at least six business premises in Malaba town, destroying property worth millions of shillings.
The inferno, which broke out at around 2:00am on Saturday, consumed shops, hotels, boutiques and miraa kiosks, leaving traders counting heavy losses.
Several affected business owners blamed the Busia County Government for delayed response, saying the fire engine arrived long after the blaze had spread.
Photos/Courtesy
The truck cabin that was reduced to ashes following a gas cylinder explosion in Malaba on Wednesday morning.
