A tense scene unfolded on Wednesday afternoon in Sagana, Kirinyaga County, after a petrol tanker overturned along the busy Makutano–Sagana–Karatina highway, triggering a dangerous scramble for spilt fuel.
The tanker, which was en route to Karatina from Nairobi, lost control and flipped, spilling large quantities of petrol onto the roadside.
Within minutes, scores of residents rushed to the accident site, armed with jerrycans, buckets, and improvised containers to siphon the fuel. Videos and photos that circulated online showed men, women, and even youths scrambling frantically for the highly flammable commodity, ignoring the grave risks involved.
Police officers who arrived at the scene were forced to shoot in the air to disperse the residents after repeated warnings went unheeded. The situation created panic among onlookers, many of whom kept a safe distance as crowds battled to scoop as much fuel as possible.
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The incident caused a massive traffic snarl-up lasting nearly two hours, with motorists stranded on both ends of the highway as rescue and security teams attempted to secure the area. Officers later sealed off the accident zone and supervised the transfer of the remaining fuel to a backup tanker.
The reckless behaviour sparked outrage nationwide, with Kenyans on social media severely criticising the residents for repeating a pattern that has in the past led to tragic loss of life. Many cited the 2019 Sachang’wan and 2021 Malanga incidents, where dozens died after fuel-siphoning attempts ignited deadly explosions.
“This is how people die. They never learn,” wrote one user, echoing the sentiments of many who questioned why residents continue to risk their lives despite multiple national tragedies linked to fuel siphoning.
Authorities have once again warned the public against rushing to accident scenes involving fuel tankers, emphasizing the extreme danger of fires, explosions, and toxic fumes. Kirinyaga police urged residents to prioritise safety and allow emergency teams to handle such incidents professionally.
As investigations into the cause of the accident continue, the incident has reignited debate on public awareness, emergency response, and the urgent need for safety education to prevent future disasters.
The overturned tanker was eventually towed away, and normal traffic flow restored later in the afternoon.
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