Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-02-04 03:56:35
The owner of the property in Mradi village in Embakasi, Derrick Kimathi, has emphatically denied any responsibility in the gas explosion that occurred on Thursday night. His lawyer, Wandugi Karathe, stated that the property was being used as a garage at the time of the explosion and not as a gas filling station.
Karathe further explained that a motor vehicle had trespassed on Kimathi’s property without his knowledge or consent, and they are actively pursuing the details of the vehicle to expose it to the police. It was also revealed that Kimathi had applied for a license to operate a gas filling station in 2023, only to have his application rejected. Despite the rejection, the property continued to be used as a garage for vehicle repairs, not as a gas filling station.
The lawyer also dispelled rumors that Kimathi was in hiding, stating that he is available and has been in touch with law enforcement. They assured that Kimathi is willing to fully cooperate with the police in their investigations but requested that the media refrain from publishing unverified false statements that are prejudicial to him.
The explosion resulted in three fatalities and nearly 300 injuries, along with substantial property damage. Approximately 3,000 families were affected, with some individuals in critical condition. A police report on the incident indicated that it occurred when a truck loaded with gas exploded, igniting a fire that spread to neighboring buildings.
The Energy Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) disclosed that the company did not have a license to set up a gas plant in the area. Residents had previously voiced concerns about such a facility being in the neighborhood, but their appeals to avert a disaster were disregarded. Rosemary Wangui, a landlord in the area, stated that residents had always feared the possibility of an explosion, and their apprehension has unfortunately become a reality.
Despite the tragedy, Kimathi and his legal team want to ensure that the facts surrounding the incident are accurately reported and that the responsible parties are held accountable. Efforts to uncover the details of the trespassing vehicle and to cooperate with law enforcement in their investigations are underway. The focus now remains on healing and providing support to the affected families in the aftermath of this devastating event.
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