President William Ruto has taken decisive action following a tragic explosion at a gas storage and refilling plant in Embakasi.
During a working tour of the Western region,
Dr Ruto ordered the sacking, arrest, and prosecution of state officials involved in licensing the facility.
He attributed the explosion, which claimed the lives of three individuals and injured 280, to corruption and negligence on the part of these officials.
Expressing concern for the safety of ordinary Kenyans, President Ruto emphasized the need to hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
The President stated that individuals with licenses were operating in residential areas, putting innocent lives at risk.
He demanded that the relevant ministry terminate the employment of those involved and take them to court.
This incident has shed light on the issue of corruption and dishonesty within the licensing process.
Despite being informed that they would not receive a license, some individuals obtained one through unethical means, leading to the operation of the ill-fated gas plant.
It is worth noting that the plant had previously been demolished twice,
once in March 2020 and again in January 2021, by the authorities.
The operators had also faced charges in court.
Additionally, the Petroleum Institute of East Africa (PIEA) had initiated a criminal case against the facility’s owner on November 9, 2020.
In May 2021, all the accused individuals were found guilty and sentenced.
Energy and Interior Cabinet Secretaries, Davis Chirchir and Prof Kithure Kindiki,
revealed that the explosion occurred due to the refilling of LPG cylinders through direct manifold connections to the LPG tanker.
“Epra works with different enforcement agencies to undertake surveillance and enforcement, especially in the petroleum and LPG sectors. More than 10 illegal sites have been demolished in the recent past,” the two ministers noted.
“The refilling of LPG cylinders was done through direct manifold connections to the LPG tanker, increasing the risk of leakage and explosion.”
This method significantly increased the risk of leakage and subsequent explosion, causing a fireball that terrorized residents.
In response to this tragic event, the Cabinet Secretaries ordered a crackdown on illegal gas plants nationwide.
They also called for a fresh risk assessment of such facilities to ensure the safety of the public.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who visited victims in various hospitals,
further emphasized the need to clamp down on illegal gas plants operating without licenses or proper safety measures.
The government, under President Ruto’s leadership, is committed to upholding the safety and well-being of all Kenyans.
Taking action against corruption and negligence is crucial to prevent future tragedies like this.
