Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-02-04 18:10:32
The owner of the property in Mradi village in Embakasi, Derrick Kimathi, has denied any involvement in the gas explosion that occurred on Thursday night. According to Kimathi’s lawyer, the property was being used as a garage at the time of the explosion and not as a gas filling station. The lawyer also stated that a motor vehicle that trespassed on Kimathi’s property without his consent caused the incident, and Kimathi is actively pursuing the details of that vehicle to expose it to the police.
Additionally, the lawyer admitted that Mr. Kimathi had applied for a license to operate a gas filling station, which was rejected in 2023. However, Mr. Kimathi did not start the gas filling business and continued to use the premises as a garage for repairing cars.
Mr. Karathe also refuted claims that Mr. Kimathi was in hiding, stating that he is available and in the public domain. He confirmed that Kimathi has been in touch with sections of the police and is willing to cooperate fully with the police in their investigations. However, he requested that the media refrain from publishing unverified false statements that are prejudicial to him.
The gas explosion resulted in the death of three people and injuries to nearly 300 individuals, along with the destruction of an unknown amount of property. Additionally, about 3,000 families were affected, with some individuals in critical condition due to the blast.
The Energy Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) revealed that the company did not have a license to set up a gas plant in the area. Residents had previously raised concerns about such a facility being in the neighborhood, but their calls for help to avert a disaster were ignored.
A police report on the incident stated that the explosion occurred when a truck loaded with gas exploded, igniting a fire that spread to neighboring buildings. The incident has raised questions about the safety and regulation of gas facilities in residential areas.
It is clear that this tragic incident has had a significant impact on the community, and it is essential for the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the explosion and take appropriate measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The safety and well-being of the residents should be a top priority, and steps need to be taken to ensure that such tragedies are not repeated.
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