Police in Nakuru have been urged to crack the whip on some private oil companies that contravene rules and regulations regarding transportation of fuel from depots to stations.
Speaking at an accident scene in Makarafuu area, Shabab ward on Saturday where an oil tanker caught fire at a garage after allegedly developing complications while transporting fuel to a station in the town, county Traffic police commander Charlton Mureithi said some truck drivers were constantly flouting traffic rules, something he said must end because it was inconveniencing other road users.
“It has come to our attention that these drivers are a threat to other road users but we are ready deal with them because it is our responsibility,” he said.
On the material day, the tanker’s driver is alleged to have faked the mechanical problem so as to facilitate illegal siphoning that led to a leakage which in turn turned tragic.
“The major problems here are overloading, using unroadworthy trucks and fuel siphoning that a majority of drivers engage in before delivering the fuel to their destined stations,” Mureithi noted.
One person who is claimed to have been trying to seal the leaking tanker, was burnt to death while the driver escaped with severe burns and is recuperating at a Nakuru hospital.
Property worth millions of shillings was destroyed in the inferno including more than 15 garages, five kiosks and several jua kali shed.