Lamu has no plans to relocate fuel stations from the Indian Ocean where they are currently stationed.
In 2014, the county, following increased fire tragedies in fuel and gas shops in Lamu island, directed all fuel dealers to move their businesses into the Indian Ocean.
The shops are located atop movable boats
The move has proved to be the best decision ever as the island has not recorded a single fire incident since then.
On Thursday, however, Lamu municipality manager Omar Famau said they are aware of individuals who are secretly vending petrol packaged in water bottles in kiosks.
They are selling it to boda boda operators on the island.
He warned that the move is deadly and could easily cause a fire disaster.
Lamu island does not have any fire fighting equipment owing to the fact that there is no space to hold a station and the equipment.
Famau said the ban on petrol sale within the island still stands and that there is no chance that fuel dealers will ever be allowed back there.
He asked those secretly selling petrol to stop.
“We moved those fuel stations to the Indian Ocean for safety reasons and so far, the plan has worked. Lamu will never relocate them back to the island," he said.
"Those who are secretly selling petrol in kiosks and breaking the law and will be dealt with.”
Famau said that relocating fuel stations to the ocean had reduced fire incidents in the island by almost 99 percent.
Lamu has a total of five petrol stations, all of which are mounted on boats and situated inside the Indian Ocean.
Famau said his office will soon organise campaigns to remind locals on the importance of having petrol stations situated in the Indian Ocean and not in the town.
Previously, Lamu was prone to fire incidents and would record at least one each week.
The lack of fire fighting equipment meant that residents would nothing apart from watching as their hard-earned property was reduced to ashes.
“Petrol is highly flammable meaning a fires can easily occur and spread to other adjacent structures if its on land,"Famau said.
"In the ocean, any fire incident can be easily contained because the fuel stations are not located closer to each other plus there is water.”
The move is a big advantage for boat operators who can easily access the stations and fuel at their own convenience.
Previously, they would have to anchor their boats and walk off into shops to purchase the same.
Boda boda riders in the town are however not in support of the location of the fuel stations as they have to board boats to be able to buy the fuel.
“We pay for a boat ride to the station. It’s very inconveniencing. We should have had at least one station on the island for us,” said Mohamed Araphat.
(Edited by Francis Wadegu)
