Fire, Arrest and Detain Those Responsible for Embakasi Gas Explosion — Ruto

President Ruto today issued a hard-hitting directive on anyone found culpable in the Embakasi Gas explosion that already accounts for several deaths.

“In Nairobi, there was an explosion causing grave injuries to many people because of laziness, deceit and corruption in government offices. Some granted a licence for the plant to be established at a residential area endangering the lives of Kenyans,” Ruto stated.

“I have instructed the Ministry that those responsible for granting the licence should be fired, arrested and detained today,” he added.

The President further claimed that government officials received bribes to turn a blind eye to the law, which consequently led to the Thursday night explosion that claimed three lives and injured over 280 others.

“They (gas filling plant owners) were instructed not to establish the facility but due to bribery and lack of discipline, the licence was issued and now we have a problem in our hands,” the head of state revealed.

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Ruto’s directive came hours after Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) boss Daniel Kiptoo confirmed that the gas filling plant managed other facilities in Embakasi and Nanyuki.

Kiptoo added that EPRA officials raided the facility in Nanyuki and arrested the staff. It was further established that the facility was only licensed to operate as an LPG gas transporter.

Director-General Kiptoo added that the gas-filling plant’s application for establishing the facility in Embakasi was rejected three times as it did not meet the stipulated safety measures.