A video showing a man spraying petrol over his car at a Shell service station in Nairobi has sparked widespread reactions online, with Kenyans questioning his actions and raising concerns about public safety.
The incident reportedly occurred on the night of Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at Shell Westview Service Station in Nairobi.
In the circulating video, a young man wearing a white vest and white trousers is seen holding a fuel nozzle and spraying petrol over a black car. Another man, dressed in a light blue shirt and shorts, stands nearby as the incident unfolds under the station's lights.
The video carries the caption suggesting that the man was cleaning dust from his car, prompting a mixture of disbelief, criticism and humour among social media users.
However, the incident has attracted attention beyond the unusual spectacle, with concerns emerging over the dangers of mishandling petrol in an environment where fuel vapour can easily ignite.
Vivo Energy Kenya, which operates Shell-branded fuel stations in the country, responded to the incident on Thursday, October 29, condemning the behaviour and warning of the risks involved.
The company described the conduct as irresponsible, reckless and negligent, stressing that it posed a serious threat to public safety and endangered lives.
Vivo Energy Kenya also indicated that the retailer had reported the matter to the relevant authorities for investigation. The company said it was reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incident and reinforcing safety requirements across its Shell service stations nationwide.
The response has added to public discussion about safety standards at petrol stations and the responsibility of motorists and attendants to ensure that fuel-handling procedures are followed.
Petrol is highly flammable, and its vapour can ignite when exposed to a spark, flame or another ignition source. Spraying fuel over a vehicle at a service station therefore creates a serious risk of fire, potentially endangering motorists, employees and other people nearby.
Mishandling fuel can also expose people to harmful vapours and cause environmental contamination.
The video has also prompted questions about whether station attendants were aware of what was happening and, if so, why the activity was not stopped immediately. However, the available account does not establish what the attendants knew or whether they attempted to intervene.
Online reactions have ranged from jokes about extravagant lifestyles to serious warnings about the consequences of treating petrol as an ordinary cleaning product.
While some users have made humorous comments about the apparent waste of fuel, others have stressed that such behaviour should not be encouraged because of the potential danger to human life.
The incident serves as a reminder that petrol stations are high-risk environments where safety procedures must be observed at all times.
Motorists should never use petrol to wash vehicles or clean surfaces. Appropriate cleaning products and water should be used instead, while fuel nozzles should only be handled for their intended purpose.
As investigations into the incident continue, the central concern remains whether the reckless handling of fuel could have resulted in a fire or serious injuries.
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