Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-02-06 15:55:45
The proprietor of the Mradi Gas Company in Embakasi, where a deadly explosion occurred on Thursday night, was presented before Senior Principal Magistrate Dolphina Alego alongside three National Environment Management Authority (Nema) officials at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi.
The four individuals, Mr. Derrick Kimathi, Joseph Makau, David Warunya On’gare, and Marian Mutete Kioko, appeared in court in connection to the explosion that took place at midnight, resulting in the deaths of six people and leaving over 300 others with serious injuries. The Director of Public Prosecutions sought to have the suspects remanded for 21 days to allow investigators to conclude their investigations.
Prosecuting counsel Dorcas Rugut and James Gachoka disclosed that the four are being investigated for charges including murder, conspiracy to commit a felony, negligence of duty, and abuse of office. Mr. Gachoka urged the court to detain the suspects for 21 days, citing the incident as being of great public interest. He also mentioned that the suspects had gone into hiding before being arrested on February 5, 2024.
The prosecutor further explained that the respondents are alleged to have committed the offences within a four-year period between January 1, 2020, and February 2, 2024, at Maxxis Energy Nairobi Limited in Embakasi sub-County, Nairobi County. He also described the massive explosion that caused not only loss of life but also significant property damage.
The application to detain the four suspects for 21 days is based on an affidavit from the lead investigator, Chief Inspector Isaac Tenai, who highlighted the need for extensive investigations in the area littered with debris. He emphasized the importance of recording statements from relatives of the deceased and injured persons, as well as assessing the gas cylinders and determining their purity at a government laboratory.
The defense lawyers, led by Karathe Wadungi, Odero Okello, and Kaveta Mwanzia, opposed the application to detain their clients for 21 days, stating that it would violate their constitutional rights. They requested for their clients to be freed on bond pending the completion of the investigations, expressing confidence in their compliance with any conditions imposed by the court.
Despite the opposition, the hearing of the case continues as the court deliberates on the matter. The aftermath of the deadly explosion has raised national concern and the investigation into the incident is ongoing to ensure justice for the victims and their families.
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