Engineers from the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) on Monday inspected the Southern Bypass bridge where a fuel tanker crash sparked a deadly fire over the weekend.

The inspection followed a collision on Saturday, January 24, near the Lang’ata underpass, close to Wilson Airport and the Carnivore Restaurant. A fuel tanker crashed into a lorry on the overpass, overturned, and fell onto the road below. The tanker burst into flames on impact, triggering a large fire that spread to nearby vehicles.

Police said the tanker driver died at the scene. Five other vehicles caught fire during the incident.

Witnesses described chaotic scenes as thick smoke filled the highway. Motorists abandoned their vehicles and ran to safety as the fire raged. Emergency responders arrived shortly after the crash and worked for several hours to put out the blaze and secure the area.

KeNHA closed the Southern Bypass in the Mombasa Road direction soon after the crash. The authority diverted traffic through Lang’ata Road as firefighters and police dealt with the aftermath. Later that day, officials partially reopened the road after clearing debris and confirming it was safe for motorists to pass.

Bridge safety under review

On Monday, KeNHA’s structures team returned to the site to assess the bridge, which the fire had scorched from below. In a statement posted on X, the authority said its engineers carried out a detailed inspection to determine whether the flames had weakened the structure.

“The assessment seeks to establish the extent of any damage and to confirm the structural integrity of the bridge,” KeNHA said. The authority added that early findings showed the bridge remained structurally sound, although engineers would continue with further analysis.

Police said investigators were still working to establish the exact cause of the crash. They cited possible mechanical failure or driver error as the likely reasons behind the collision.

The Southern Bypass is one of Nairobi’s busiest transport corridors. It connects the city’s western areas to Wilson Airport, Mombasa Road and the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport route. Heavy commercial vehicles, including fuel tankers, use the road daily.

The crash has renewed concerns over safety on overpasses, particularly involving heavy trucks.