Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko recently found himself in a frustrating situation when his Nissan Patrol was mistakenly fueled with diesel instead of petrol. The incident, which occurred at a local fuel station, led to a series of events that highlighted the risks and consequences of misfuelling a petrol car with diesel.
In a video shared on Sonko’s social media accounts, he can be seen approaching the fuel station attendant responsible for the mistake. Visibly annoyed, Sonko questioned the attendant about how such an error could have occurred.
“Kwa nini unaweka diesel sasa? Hukusoma ama hujaangalia?” Sonko inquired, seeking an explanation for the mishap.
The fuel attendant, clearly shaken, attempted to clarify that he assumed the vehicle parked in front of the diesel pump intentionally chose diesel for refueling. “Nikajua mwenye amepark hapa amesoma hii label,” the attendant explained, indicating that he believed the preceding customer had read the fuel type labels.
Despite the frustration of having his high-value vehicle filled with the wrong fuel, Sonko displayed a level of understanding and forgiveness. He offered to pay for the wrongly dispensed diesel and assured the attendant that he wouldn’t lose his job over the mistake.
Mike Sonko forgives attendant
“Ntakulipia usifutwe kazi but next time unauliza. Leo nimekusamehe,” Sonko stated, emphasizing the importance of double-checking and asking for confirmation to avoid such errors in the future.
The video also captured the careful process of moving Sonko’s car to drain the diesel fuel, preventing potential damage to the engine, such as fuel filter clogging and engine misfiring.
Misfuelling a petrol car with diesel can have severe consequences, as highlighted by the risks outlined by Acko Drive. The thicker viscosity of diesel compared to petrol can lead to fuel filter clogs, injector issues, spark plug failures, and ultimately, engine malfunction if not addressed promptly.
Sonko’s experience serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and clear communication, both for fuel station attendants and vehicle owners, to prevent costly and potentially dangerous misfuelling incidents.
