The incident occurred on the night of February 26 when a tanker reportedly lost control due to brake failure and overturned, spilling large amounts of fuel onto the road.
Residents arrived with buckets, jerricans and basins to scoop up the fuel. Some even resorted to using their bare hands. The siphoning continued to Friday morning.
“This tanker has no brakes, but we have already collected from it. They have even opened another one fresh,” one resident shouted as others laughed and encouraged each other to collect more fuel.
“When the tanker lifts up, the oil spills speedily. That’s when you must rush to the source.”
Despite the obvious danger of fire or explosion, the crowd appeared undeterred. Many were seen joking and chatting as they filled their containers.
Some questioned the presence of police officers at the scene, asking loudly, “What are the police doing here?” while others urged their peers to hurry before the fuel ran out.
The accident drew dozens of residents from nearby villages, with many arriving late into the night to join the scramble.
Witnesses reported that the atmosphere was more festive than fearful, with laughter and shouting echoing along the highway.
“You are collecting slowly, my friend. Hurry up!” one man was heard urging his companion.
The incident highlights the recurring danger of fuel spills in Kenya, where residents often risk their lives to collect spilled petroleum products.
Past tragedies, such as the Sachangwan fire disaster that killed more than 100 people, serve as grim reminders of the catastrophic consequences that can follow such reckless behavior.
