Kakamega police battle mob siphoning fuel from overturned tanker

Police engaged a mob in running battles as they siphoned fuel from an overturned tanker along Eldoret-Webuye road in Kakamega County.

According to police, the mob had rushed to the scene armed with all manner of jerricans and started to siphon the fuel oblivious of the dangers they were posing to themselves and the area in general.

Previous such incidents have left dozens dead and others badly wounded.

Police said the trailer with 39,000 litres of super petrol overturned in the Mukhonje area on Monday night as it raced from Eldoret to Malaba area.

The driver told police he lost control of the trailer and veered off the road on the left side and landed into a ditch.

An unknown amount of fuel spilt off as a mob rushed there to siphon the same.

It took the arrival of dozens of police officers to seal off the area and disperse the mob to secure the scene.

Police said there was no ugly incident reported and that experts are investigating the accident.

Police spokesperson Dr Resla Onyango termed the move by the locals dangerous.

"We are lucky not to have experienced any ugly incident," she said.

Officials from the fire brigade in Kakamega arrived and helped in securing the scene.

Past such incidents in parts of the country turned deadly after a fire broke out and killed many. Many others were left with injuries in the incidents.

Officials have been running campaigns on major highways to discourage siphoning of fuel from such incidents.