A chaotic scene unfolded along the Webuye-Kanduyi road today when a tanker transporting fuel to Uganda rolled into a ditch near Makotelo village, triggering a large crowd of residents to attempt siphoning fuel from the vehicle. The incident led to a standoff between the villagers and police, with officers resorting to tear gas to disperse the crowd.
The accident occurred after the driver reportedly lost control of the lorry, causing it to veer off the road. Within minutes, locals rushed to the scene, armed with containers and jerrycans, eager to siphon the petroleum product that was spilling from the overturned tanker. The driver, visibly shaken, attempted to prevent further spillage as the incident drew more people to the area.
According to Paul Wamalwa, one of the residents, the tanker was headed to Uganda when the accident occurred. He said, “The situation quickly turned chaotic as people ran to take advantage of the spill. It was a risky situation, but people were desperate.”
Local law enforcement, understanding the danger of the volatile fuel, quickly intervened. Police used tear gas to disperse the crowd, warning them about the serious risks of siphoning the fuel, which could lead to fatal accidents or fire outbreaks. Despite the police action, some residents refused to leave the area, driven by the hope that they might be allowed to collect and sell the fuel.
Omar Adam, a youth from the village, expressed frustration with the police’s response. He argued that the hard economic times made it difficult for many people to make ends meet. “Diesel is not as flammable as petrol. Why not allow us to take it and sell it? At least it wouldn’t go to waste, and we would have something to survive on,” he said.
The altercation caused a significant traffic jam along the road as vehicles were unable to move due to the crowd’s presence. Meanwhile, the tanker owners attempted to salvage the remaining fuel by transferring it into an empty tanker.
