A trend where motorists fuel at petrol stations and drive off without paying the attendants has raised concerns, with three cases reported since the beginning of 2023.
The trend started with a driver of a Toyota Prado TX who drove off from a petrol station along Jogoo Road after fueling his car. He left behind a bill worth Ksh10,000 on Tuesday, January 3.
Barely a week later, another motorist, a driver of a Toyota Mark X, drove away without paying a bill worth Ksh12,000 at a petrol station in Imara Daima.
The two incidents sparked reactions across social media platforms. Some Kenyans sympathised with the attendants, who are customarily left with the burden of paying the bill whenever such a case occurs.
A campaign spearheaded by a road safety mobilization entity, Sikika, helped to raise the money required to offset the bills left at the first incident.
In the second instance, the owner of the Mark X was reportedly traced and, subsequently, agreed to pay the bill.
However, the rage against the two drivers involved was evident in both cases.
“This vehicle, number plate KCR ***P fueled at Shell Aptc today at noon, then drove off without paying, you can run, but you can' not hide.
"Our followers kindly let us unite and give it a share because the fuel attendant will pay for it,” a statement from the safety authority read.
Whilst some attributed the trend to the harsh economic conditions experienced in January 2023, a sizeable section of comments rebuked the act.
Others called for the government to erect rumble strips at petrol stations to deter drivers who drive recklessly in petrol stations. Some demanded petrol stations adopt a pre-paid system.
Oblivious to many, however, are the dangers posed by the action of speedily driving off from a filling station.
In a similar incident, a saloon car driver was arrested for causing a fire at a petrol station in 2018 - an incident that occurred in Kasarani.
Then Energy Regulatory Commission - now known as Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), stated that the fire resulted from friction between the ground and the pump.
“Friction between the ground and the pump produced sparks which ignited a fire that quickly spread. The driver has since been apprehended by the police,” the report read.
The driver was arrested and charged in court.
