Scenes from the accident involving a loaded petrol tanker after colliding head-on with another lorry along Nairobi’s Southern Bypass near the Swaminarayan tunnel bridge on January 24th,2026. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]
One person has been killed after an oil tanker exploded following a head-on collision near the Swaminarayan tunnel on Nairobi’s Southern Bypass.
Lang’ata Sub-County Police Commander Pius Mwanthi said on Saturday that the deceased was one of the truck drivers involved in the crash.
Scenes from the accident involving a loaded petrol tanker after colliding head-on with another lorry along Nairobi’s Southern Bypass near the Swaminarayan tunnel bridge on January 24th,2026. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]
Police officers and other emergency responders are still clearing the scene and keeping members of the public away, Mwanthi told The Standard, citing the risk of a secondary explosion caused by spilled oil.
Scenes from the accident involving a loaded petrol tanker after colliding head-on with another lorry along Nairobi’s Southern Bypass near the Swaminarayan tunnel bridge on January 24th,2026. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]
“The highway has been temporarily closed. Motorists are advised to use alternative routes,” said Kenya Red Cross.
According to John Otieno who witnessed the accident, the oil tanker lost control before colliding head on with the other truck.
Redcross and Police officers at scene of the accident involving a loaded petrol tanker and another lorry along Nairobi’s Southern bypass near the Swaminarayan tunnel bridge on January 24, 2026. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]
Traffic snarl up along Nairobi’s Souther bypass after an accident involving a loaded petrol tanker and another lorry near the Swaminarayan tunnel bridge on January 24, 2026. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]
Additional reporting by Wanjiku Wanjiru
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