By Robert Mutasi 
The Uasin Gishu County Government has intensified public awareness efforts to discourage residents from approaching fuel tankers involved in road accidents to siphon fuel.
The sensitisation campaign follows last week’s tanker fire at Paul Boit along the Eldoret-Webuye road, where three people died and 23 others were injured.
Eight victims are still receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret.
County fire officials said attempts by members of the public to collect fuel from damaged tankers have increasingly complicated emergency response operations.
County Director of Fire and Disaster Management Fredrick Serem said firefighters often face resistance from crowds who move close to accident scenes with containers to collect fuel.
“Some members of the public normally try to stop our team from doing their work, especially when we apply foam to weaken the petrol so that they can siphon it when it is still in its original state. This is very dangerous,” Serem said.
Fire Section Officer David Sitati said some people arrive at accident scenes on boda bodas carrying jerrycans, creating congestion and obstructing firefighters from accessing and securing the affected area.
He said the practice can expose both the public and emergency responders to additional danger, particularly because petrol is highly flammable.
Sitati urged residents to stay away from tanker accidents and allow emergency teams to manage the scenes.
“Despite the prevailing economic hardships, the solution cannot be to engage in life-threatening acts. We are urging members of the public to keep away from dangerous scenes and to understand that petrol is highly flammable and dangerous,” he said.
The county has also called for greater cooperation among emergency agencies and regular safety awareness campaigns to discourage fuel siphoning.
As part of efforts to improve emergency response, the county plans to equip fire stations in Burnt Forest, Moi’s Bridge and Maili Nne, allowing fire services to be deployed closer to affected communities.
The campaign comes after Governor Jonathan Bii called for oil tankers to be barred from passing through Eldoret’s central business district following the Paul Boit accident.
Bii, who visited injured victims at MTRH over the weekend, said some of those admitted had sustained serious burns.
The governor also urged residents to avoid rushing to accident scenes involving fuel tankers.
“We are saying sorry to the families affected as we also caution that no one should run to areas where such accidents occur because there is always the danger of fire,” Bii said.
County officials said members of the public should also keep away from accidents involving vehicles transporting gas cylinders and other hazardous materials.