A Kisumu court on September 8, issued a ruling on three suspects who were arrested allegedly for siphoning fuel from Kenya Pipeline company (KPC) through a tunnel they constructed to the main supply line at Mamboleo area in Kisumu County on September 5, 2023.
Kisumu Chief Magistrate D. O Onyango in his ruling allowed the prosecution side's application that sought to detain the suspects to allow them to conduct further investigations.
The three suspects according to the prosecution used a septic tank to construct the tunnel since it was near the line that supplies petroleum products to the Kisumu Depot.
Prosecutors had filed an application to have the three detained because they lacked a permanent residence therefore they would flee if set free.
In the prosecution application, it was further stated that witnesses had not yet recorded statements hence the suspects would also interfere with them in case they were released.
Investigations into the cause of death of two unknown people whose bodies were discovered in the septic tank are also ongoing.
The ruling directed further detention of the three suspects at Kisumu Central Police Station for six days as the prosecution continued with investigations.
After a tip-off to police from the residents who had noticed an oil spillage around, they were arrested and had already siphoned over 3000 litres from the main line.
The police then launched a search where they discovered a generator suspected to be used in pumping oil from the main supply.
Also retrieved from the house were several pipes, mattresses, and fire extinguishers among other items suspected to be used in their siphoning operations.
Residents around the area have made several reports to the police regarding the operations but their calls went unanswered.
Similar incidences have been witnessed in the past as Kisumu had reported various cases of fuel siphoning putting the county in the spotlight.
