Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-02-04 04:29:51
The aftermath of the Embakasi fire tragedy on Saturday saw President William Ruto taking action against government officials whom he wants dismissed from their jobs and prosecuted over the incident. As the police launched a hunt for the owner of the yard, who controversially stated that he was licensed to only operate a garage. The pressure was mounting on government officials of key ministries, departments, and agencies that should have shut down the plant before the disaster struck.
The explosion that took place on Thursday night in Embakasi resulted in three fatalities, including a minor, and close to 300 injured individuals. The city was sent into a state of panic as the Mradi village residents experienced the horror of the explosions. Following these events, President Ruto ordered the dismissal, arrest, and prosecution of State officials involved in the issuance of a license to the gas storage and refilling plant, blaming them for accepting bribes which endangered the lives of Kenyans.
During a working tour in the Western region, Dr. Ruto attributed the explosion to corruption and negligence of the responsible officers. He criticized officials for accepting bribes and allowing the operation of the gas-filling plant. The resultant damages caused by the explosion have left 3,000 lives in a state of devastation, and the Kenya Red Cross provided support as the number of casualties is expected to rise.
The Energy and Interior Cabinet Secretaries revealed that the gas plant had been previously demolished by authorities but was allowed to continue its operation. Furthermore, the National Environmental and Management Authority (Nema) suspended four officers for their involvement in the illegal licensing of the gas plant.
Amidst all this, the owner of the property where the gas explosion occurred denied responsibility, claiming that the site was only being used as a garage at the time of the explosion. However, it was revealed that several state agencies were involved in the licensing process, yet the gas cylinder refilling continued, posing a threat to the community.
The Petroleum Institute of East Africa also disclosed that proprietors of the facility where the explosion occurred had a criminal case instituted against them befoore and its advocate stated that its client was willing to cooperate with the police.
The aftermath of the explosion left the residents of Embakasi in shock, as some scavenge for metal and others gathered pieces of their lives. President Ruto’s actions against corrupt officials have been met with skepticism by some, with questions raised about whether charges will lead to any form of justice. Meanwhile, for the victims of the tragedy, their lives are undoubtedly scattered in the aftermath of the unfortunate disaster.
Read the original article on Daily Nation
