Opposition train guns on Energy CS Chirchir, EPRA DG Kiptoo over Embakasi gas explosion tragedy
The opposition has now trained their guns on Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir and Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority(EPRA) Director General Daniel Kiptoo saying the buck stops with them over the tragic gas explosion in Embakasi in Nairobi that has so far claimed six lives and injured hundreds of others.
The Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) plant in Embakasi has been confirmed to have been operated illegally.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna today urged president William Ruto to sack the duo despite the government having said four officials from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) have been interdicted in connection to the incident.
Sifuna castigated the agents from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations for the private security guard manning the Embakasi gas outlet yet the culpable individuals were enjoying freedom.
“I am shocked that they first arrested the watchman so far, how was it that an illegal LPG was operating all this time to the extent we have witnessed this accident and only the guard has been arrested?” Sifuna posed.
“We want you to start with Energy CS Chirchir and top EPRA officials.” Sifuna added.
Government Spokesperson confirmed three deaths from the tragic incident with over 280 people admitted in hospitals across the city with injuries of varying degrees.
The incident occurred at 11:30 pm when one lorry loaded with gas cylinders exploded, igniting a huge ball of fire.
The resulting shockwave felt miles away. A gas cylinder hitting a garment warehouse razing it to the ground.
On Friday, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) said the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) storage and filling plant in Mradi area where there was a gas explosion that killed three people was illegal.
In a statement, EPRA explained that they received applications for construction permits on 19th March, 20th June, and 31st July 2023 which they declined as they failed to meet the criteria for setting a gas plant station.
The gas refilling plant which exploded and even injured 280 others failed to meet the safety distances stipulated due to the high population of its environs.
“EPRA noted the high population density around the proposed site and the applicant was requested to submit a Qualitative Risk Assessment clearly indicating the radiation blast profiles in the unfortunate case of an explosion like the one that happened yesterday.” EPRA said.
The regulator further maintained that the management of the LPG storage never provided a Qualitative Risk Assessment which helps indicate the effect of a typical blast and offers a review of the safety of the surrounding areas.
Questions are being raised on how the gas filling plant managed to operate illegally for six months.
“The applicant never provided the requested QRA resulting in the rejection of the applications. Email correspondences providing reasons for the rejection were sent to the applicant,” noted EPRA.
EPRA has assured it will undertake detailed technical audits of all licensed LPG plants in the country to ensure high safety integrity status in terms of Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE).
“Administrative actions are always taken to ensure that operating licenses for all plants rated below the high safety integrity status are revoked.”
