Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-02-15 13:57:24
The owner of the gas tanker that ignited an explosion at a refilling plant in Nairobi County, causing 10 fatalities and injuring 600 others, has been detained for a period of two weeks. Abraham Mwangi Nguyo, the owner of the tanker, will be held at Capitol Hill police cells. Mr. Nguyo, who had been on the run since the incident occurred on the night of February 1st and the early hours of February 2nd, 2024, was arrested on Monday after presenting himself to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Embakasi.
During his time in hiding, Mr. Nguyo’s lawyer filed a case at the High Court seeking orders requiring Mr. Nguyo to willingly present himself to the DCI officers for interrogation. He is being detained on suspicion of committing offenses of murder and acts of negligence, leading to deaths and injuries to the victims of the inferno. Mr. Nguyo owns the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Mercedes Benz tanker of registration numbers KBJ 185X / ZD2234 which exploded while delivering gas at the premises of the Maxxis Energy Nairobi Limited.
The aftermath of the explosion was tragic, and the DCI is investigating cases of murder, negligence causing harm, and abuse of office in contravention of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act. The identification of the people who perished at the scene and in hospitals is ongoing, and recording of statements of survivors is yet to start.
Inspector Isaac Kariuki, a DCI officer attached at Embakasi, stated in an affidavit that the identification of deceased persons is ongoing, and some post-mortems have been completed but not finished. Some bodies were burnt beyond physical recognition, necessitating DNA analysis that is yet to be done. He also stated that there is a likelihood of more bodies being recovered from the debris, and more victims are still coming forward to report and record their statements.
Mr. Kariuki added that more than 300 victims are still undergoing treatment in critical conditions at various hospitals in Nairobi and its environs, and others are being treated at their homes. Multiple wreckage of vehicles and LPG refilling plant equipment that were involved in the explosion has not been identified due to the complete damage occasioned by the incident. Properties in and around the company’s premises were also destroyed.
Information from Mr. Nguyo and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) points to an expanded investigation spanning to Tanzania, in tracing the source of the disaster-causing LPG. This is evident from information obtained from KRA’s LPG clearance made at the Oloitoktok border point on January 25, 2024, about five days before the tragedy occurred. The matter will be mentioned on February 28, 2024, when the court will give directions on the matter after the conclusion of the investigation.
The case will be combined with that of the owner of Maxxis Energy Nairobi Limited, Derrick Kimathi, who was arraigned alongside three National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) officials, Joseph Makau, David Warunya On’gare, and Marrian Mutete Kioko. These individuals were presented before Senior Principal Magistrate Dolphina Alego on February 6, 2024.
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