A new trend where motorists use fake number plates to fuel at petrol stations and drive off without paying the attendants has raised concerns over the lengths drivers are going to survive the harsh economic times.
Sikika Safety CEO Daniel Kiilu explained to Kenyans.co.ke that three cases had been reported at different police stations in Nairobi.
He noted that the latest incident involved the driver of a black Toyota Harrier who fuelled at a petrol station along Thika Road and sped off without paying after ordering fuel worth Ksh13,000.
According to the latest review by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) petrol retails at Ksh199.15 in Nairobi, filling a tank to capacity appears to be beyond the reach of most Kenyans.
The number plates, which were captured on the CCTV footage, were cross-checked on the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) portal via the eCitizen platform. The search established that the plates belong to a lorry.
"A keen look at the vehicle shows that the Toyota Harrier could not bear the number plates (KD..) since it's an older model," he indicated.
Kiilu pointed out that the situation further complicates the investigations conducted by police officers who have to rely on forensic investigations to nab the suspect.
He also added that the detectives are reviewing the CCTV footage to try and capture the driver's face and use face recognition technology to identify the motorist's profile.
"This is beginning to become a trend whereby motorists know they can get away with such and bypass cameras installed along the stations," he noted.
The vice was a top trend for the better part of last year where motorists devised tricks of fueling and leaving the attendants high and dry.
By December 2023, several cases had been reported with drivers leaving huge bills ranging from Ksh8,000 and above.
Kenyans online have since called for petrol stations to introduce tough measures to stem the trend, with the most convenient method being the adoption of pre-paid services.
