The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has arrested three National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) officials and the owner of the LPG gas facility in Embakasi, Mradi Area where an explosion occurred last week.
The gas explosion has so far claimed six lives, as three more people succumbed to injuries following the incident that occurred on February 1 around 11.30 pm.
The DCI arrested Derrick Kimathi who is believed to have rented the gas facility and NEMA officials: Director of Environment Compliance David Ongare, Head of Environmental Impact Assessment Joseph Kioko, and Mirrian Kioko.
Five more suspects are still at large and wanted by investigators. The DCI has asked anyone who has information on them to contact the directorate or report to a nearby police station.
The five include site manager Stephen Kilonzo, NEMA’s Ann Kabiri Mirungi, NEMA’s senior environmental officer Lynette Cheruyoit, truck driver Robert Gitau, and another driver Abraham Mwangi.
Following the LPG gas explosion in Embakasi, President William Ruto directed government officials responsible for the illegal facility’s existence to be arrested. The authorities had earlier arrested a security guard of the facility.
The incident left 280 people with injuries, some with serious wounds. A number have been discharged but some are still being treated in various hospitals in the city.
What happened during the Embakasi explosion?
Speaking on the gas explosion in Mradi Area, Embakasi, the Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura stated,
A lorry of an unknown registration number that was loaded with gas exploded, igniting a huge ball of fire that spread widely. A flying gas cylinder hit Oriental Godown, burning it down. The facility deals with garments and textiles”.
The fire further damaged several vehicles and commercial properties, including many small and medium-sized businesses. Residential houses in the neighborhood also caught fire, with people still inside.
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) issued a statement earlier saying it denied the Embakasi gas facility a license after applying for it three times due to safety concerns.
EPRA’s Director General Daniel Kiptoo in an interview also revealed that the site had been “demolished twice but it kept mushrooming back up.
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