Kisumu — Kenya Pipeline Company has started the process of emptying petrol from an underground tank in Kisumu's Lolwe estate after police uncovered a fuel siphoning racket.

Kisumu County Commissioner Alasan Hussein said Tuesday the process kicked off even as relevant authorities commenced investigations into the siphoning activities reported on the main Nairobi-Kisumu pipeline.

Hussein said no suspect had been arrested since the occupants of the compound where the underground tank was discovered escaped when a leakage was noticed.

A leakage was noticed on Monday evening drawing suspicion, before boda boda riders started to scoop fuel that was flowing into a local stream.

Hussein said Kenya Pipeline Company had taken measures aimed at averting any danger within the locality.

"Security has been beefed up here since this is a crime scene. Everybody has been kept at bay and there is no more scooping of fuel," he said.

Addressing the press after an assessment of the scene by the county security team, Hussein said investigations will seek to reveal what really transpired after similar incidents were reported.

There were two similar incidents reported, one in Kibos, the other in Koru, with similar techniques.

Kenya Pipeline Company officials at the scene declined to comment on the matter.