Derick Kimathi, the proprietor of the illegal gas plant that exploded in Embakasi on February 1 surrendered to police for grilling on Monday, February 5.
Nairobi Police boss Adamson Bungei noted that the suspect went to the Embakasi police station accompanied by a lawyer and was grilled by detectives handling investigations into the gas explosion.
“He is still talking to the team handling the matter. We will know more,” he said.
This comes a day after Kimathi, through his lawyer refuted claims that the gas plant was operating illegally.
In a statement to the media, Kimathi noted clarified that the plant was operating as a garage.
“Our client had not been operating a gas filling operation on that premises. The premises, for the last few years, has been operating as a garage and until Thursday, it was still operating as a garage.
“The motor vehicle that caused this incident was trespassing into this property without his knowledge and consent,” his lawyer told the press.
The lawyer went on to add that noted that his client told police that applications to operate a gas-filling plant in the area were rejected by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
As such, after his applications were rejected, Kimathi put aside his plans to operate the gas plant.
Also Read: Residents Raise Alarm Over Another Gas Leak in Embakasi
However, Embakasi residents confirmed that the place was operating as an illegal gas-filling plant and people flocked it for cheap gas.
Suspects in the Embakasi Gas Explosion Tragedy
Police officers have been pursuing seven suspects on the case including Kimathi’s partner Steve Kioko and the driver of the truck alleged to have caused the explosion.
Similarly, three National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) employees who were suspended for allegedly giving Kimathi’s company an unauthorized license are also being sought after by the police.
Nonetheless, residents of Embakasi residing near the gas plant which exploded on Monday, February 5 began fleeing the area after raising concerns that there was another gas leakage.
However, authorities refuted these claims noting that they had double-checked the station to make sure every drum was empty, hence posing no harm.
At least six people lost their lives with more than 300 injured following the gas explosion at Mradi, Embakasi area in Nairobi County.
New Gas reforms
The government unveiled a number of initiatives to guarantee compliance in the industry after the tragedy.
Also Read: Ruto Orders Officers Who Approved Embakasi Gas Station Sent to Jail
These include, among other things, improving the LPG data verification system and rolling out a government LPG growth strategy immediately.
Others include demolishing any unlawful sites and conducting a new risk assessment for all LPG facilities with the goal of eliminating any non-compliant locations.
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