At least eight people have lost their lives in a deadly road crash at Got Kokech area along Homa Bay Kendu road.
The accident involved a Nissan and a fuel tanker.
County police commander Samson Ole Kiine confirmed the tragedy.
He said a probe is underway to uncertain the cause of the accident.
The accident occurred after Nissan Matatu which was ferrying passengers from Homa Bay town collided with a fuel tanker that was moving in an opposite direction along the Homa Bay-Kendu Bay road.
Two people were confirmed to have sustained serious injuries in the accident and were rushed to Homa Bay Teaching and Referral Hospital for medication.
The eight people included a woman, a schoolboy and six men.
Residents who were at the scene of the accident occurred when the matatu was trying to overtake another one near a corner on the road.
A resident said the Nissan driver failed to see the oncoming trailer with fuel as it was in speed.
“The accident occurred as the matatu driver was trying to overtake another Nissan. The matatu had a head-on collision with the tanker killing the passengers,” a resident said.
George Otieno said police had to intervene by controlling members of the public who wanted to siphon oil from the tanker.
Police were forced to cordon the place and prevent residents from accessing the tanker.
The driver of the tanker was arrested and taken to Homa Bay police station for questioning.
Speaking over the matter, Homa Bay County Police Commander Samson Kine said they are interrogating the tanker driver to establish the actual cause of the accident.
The matatu that was involved in the accident is said to have had 10 people including the driver and conductor.
“Police officers are still at the scene of the accident to prevent residents from siphoning fuel. We’re investigating the cause of the accident,” Kine said.
The police boss urged road users to observe traffic rules all the time to avoid a repeat of such accidents.
The bodies of the eight people were taken to Homa Bay Hospital mortuary.
“We must all the time and strictly observe traffic rules to avoid accidents,” he added.
