The Uasin Gishu County government has initiated a sensitisation drive aimed at educating residents on the risks associated with fuel siphoning during tanker accidents. This move comes in response to a recent accident that resulted in three fatalities and 23 injuries when an oil tanker caught fire at Paul Boit along the Eldoret-Webuye road. The county's fire department has been facing significant challenges in managing such situations due to the large number of people who rush to the scene to siphon fuel.
The county's fire and disaster management team has reported that the biggest challenge during fire responses is crowd management, with many residents attempting to scoop fuel and obstructing officers from managing the situation. County Director of Fire and Disaster Management, Fredrick Serem, noted that some members of the public try to stop firefighters from doing their job, especially when they apply foam to weaken the petrol. This has led to calls for increased awareness and collaboration among stakeholders to prevent such incidents.
The Officer in Charge of the Fire Section, David Sitati, highlighted that boda boda operators have been ferrying people with jerrycans to siphon fuel, further complicating the situation and endangering more lives. Sitati urged residents to keep away from dangerous scenes during fire-related accidents and those involving vehicles carrying gas cylinders. He also advised that the solution to economic hardships cannot be life-threatening acts and encouraged people to understand that petrol is highly flammable and dangerous.
In response to the recent accident, Governor Jonathan Bii visited the injured at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret and demanded that oil tankers be banned from passing through the Eldoret central business district to prevent future accidents. The governor expressed concern that most victims had serious burns and cautioned that no one should rush to areas where such accidents occur due to the danger of fire.
The county plans to equip fire stations in Burnt Forest, Moi's Bridge, and Maili Nne to decentralise services and enhance response to emergencies. This move aims to improve the county's ability to manage fire-related incidents and reduce the risk of accidents. The county government has also urged residents to exercise caution during fuel tanker accidents and to avoid rushing to siphon fuel.
The recent accident resulted in eight people being admitted to the ICU at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, with many others receiving treatment for injuries. The incident has highlighted the need for increased awareness and education on the dangers of fuel siphoning during tanker accidents. The county government's sensitisation drive aims to address this issue and prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Uasin Gishu County government's initiative aims to promote public safety and prevent accidents caused by fuel siphoning. By educating residents on the risks associated with this practice, the county hopes to reduce the number of accidents and promote a culture of safety. The county government has urged residents to cooperate with authorities and to report any incidents of fuel siphoning to the relevant authorities.
Key points
- Uasin Gishu County launches sensitisation drive to educate residents on dangers of fuel siphoning during tanker accidents
- County government aims to promote public safety and prevent accidents caused by fuel siphoning
- Recent accident resulted in three fatalities and 23 injuries, highlighting need for increased awareness and education
