Orange Democratic Movement(ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has warned Kenyans to stop the scramble for fuel from overturned tankers.
This comes after a fuel tanker exploded and killed 13 people and left dozens nursing burn injuries in Siaya County on Saturday night.
According to Raila, people should learn to run away and not towards such scenes in future.
“As we mourn and reflect, I hope against hope that this may be the last time our people are dying out of a scramble for fuel from an overturned tanker; that our people may learn to run away, not towards such scenes in future,” he stated.
He sent his condolences to the families that lost loved ones in the accident and wished the injured a quick recovery.
The scene of the latest accident is barely 10 kilometres from Sidindi where a similar accident claimed tens of lives in 1998.
On Saturday night, a tanker ferrying thousands of litres of petrol from Kisumu to Busia collided with a milk truck at Malanga in Gem, Siaya County.
This prompted villagers to rush to the scene to siphon fuel exposing themselves to danger.
In less than 30 minutes, the tanker burst into flames trapping the villagers burning 13 of them beyond recognition.
Rift Valley regional Coordinator George Natembeya regretted the incident and urged Kenyans to stop rushing to such scenes for their own safety.
“Siphoning fuel and looting accident victims of their valuables is wrong. It has become common in highways, despite deaths and warnings issued against such behaviour. If you are not there to save lives, please stay away and let experienced first responders deal with the situation,” he said.
He added that looting is a crime and those siphoning oil should face the law.