Mt. Moroto Regional Police Spokesperson Mike Longole, said all the passengers were evacuated safely with the exception of one female, who sustained burn injuries while attempting to retrieve her goods from the burning vehicle.
By Alexander Mackey Okori
At least seven Kenyan traders on Saturday, April 25, 2026, escaped death after the vehicle, Toyota Townace with registration number KBX 680Y, they were travelling in caught fire along the Amudat-Alakas border road.
The incident occurred at about 9:00 PM opposite Nabokotom Primary School, approximately five kilometres from Amudat Town Council.
According to police, preliminary investigations indicate that the fire started from the exhaust pipe, prompting the driver, Enock Krop, 28, to immediately stop the vehicle and alert the passengers to evacuate.
The Mt. Moroto Regional Police Spokesperson Mike Longole said that police from Amudat Central Police Station responded swiftly and distinguished the fire using rudimentary methods due to lack of fire brigade.
He added that property merchandise worth KES 200,000, which is equivalent to Shs 5.6 million were burnt to ashes.
According to Longole, all the passengers were evacuated safely with the exception of one female, who sustained burn injuries while attempting to retrieve her goods from the burning vehicle.
The victim, whose identity remains unknown, was rushed to Amudat Hospital, where she is currently receiving treatment.
Police have identified other passengers as, Anita Chepkomoi, Monica Lotunyo, Gilberton Menda, Mariam Abdala, Mary Mukanyo, and Nancy Sangka.
The wreckage, according to Longole, is still at the scene as investigations into the cause of the fire take shape.
“We urge motorists, especially those transporting goods, to conduct regular vehicle servicing and ensure vehicles are fitted with functional fire extinguishers. Passengers should evacuate immediately when fire is suspected and not attempt to salvage property” said Longole.
The incident comes just days after Motor Vehicle Registration Number UBJ 549B, loaded with bags of charcoal and mattresses caught fire after overturning along the Kotido–Moroto road on Friday.
These incidents raise concerns over vehicle safety and emergency response in the Karamoja sub-region due to limited fire brigade services.
Currently, Karamoja has only one fire brigade based at Moroto Regional headquarters which is more than 140 kilometres from the districts of Amudat, Kaabong, Karenga, Abim, Nabilatuk, and Kotido.
