At least three people have been confirmed dead in the aftermath of a gas explosion incident in Embakasi East
Over 200 other residents of Mradi Estate in Embakasi East and surrounding areas were injured in the late-night incident that has angered Kenyans
The incident has highlighted laxity on the part of government agencies like the Energy Petroleum and Regulatory Authority, mandated to oversee the operations of dealers
According to confirmed reports, three people have been killed and 270 others injured in a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) explosion in Embakasi East Constituency, Nairobi.
The Assistant Inspector of Police at the scene said. “We have around 271 people who are admitted in various hospitals in Nairobi. With Mama Lucy (hospital) having the bulk,”.
Authorities reported that the explosion came from a truck that was transporting gas cylinders from a questionably operating LPG plant in the area.
The fire incident that took place in the Embakasi Mradi estate near the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) has ignited a public uproar, with Kenyans wondering how a gas plant was allowed to conduct its operation within a residential area.
As Kenyans called out relevant authorities for literally resorting to a firefighting approach after lives had been lost, it emerged that the Energy Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) had declared the firm behind the refilling of LPG illegal.
EPRA declared Embakasi gas company illegal After the declaration, it is not clear why the firm in question continued to operate, despite some members of the public disclosing that they reported their concerns over the location of the gas company to agencies like the National Environment and Management Authority (NEMA).
In the video that has recirculated following the tragedy that took place late at night, Citizen TV captured an incident where EPRA officials and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) detectives cracked down at the questionable firm in Embakasi.
During the crackdown in Embakasi, three people were arrested while emptying gas from a truck into cylinders, against standard operating procedures.