Rédaction Africa Links 24 with AFP
Published on 2024-02-03 13:08:21
Kenyan President William Ruto expressed his discontent with the handling of the recent gas explosion in Nairobi, which resulted in three deaths and 280 injuries. He placed the blame on incompetent and corrupt government officials, stating that they issued licenses for gas installations in residential areas despite it being the wrong thing to do. Ruto urged for the responsible officials to be sacked and prosecuted for their actions.
The blast occurred at an illegal LPG refilling and storage site in Embakasi, a densely populated district in Nairobi. The Petroleum Institute of East Africa revealed that the site’s owner and some customers had been convicted and sentenced in May 2023, shedding light on the illegal nature of the operation.
However, the National Environment Authority (NEMA) stated that Maxxis Nairobi Energy had obtained permission to operate the site on February 2 the prior year. NEMA Chairman Emilio Mugo revealed that the investigation had revealed unprocedural processing of the license by four NEMA officers, directing them to step aside pending further investigation by relevant government agencies.
Kenya’s Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua emphasized that accountability would be ensured for those responsible for the unfortunate incident and called for caution and adherence to the rule of law.
The government spokesman reported that three individuals lost their lives and 280 others were hospitalized due to the explosion, which caused extensive damage to vehicles and businesses and led to the destruction of a garment and textile factory. An arrest was made regarding the incident, and investigations were ongoing.
Residents of the area expressed their long-held fears of such a disaster, holding the government responsible for allowing inflammable products to be stored near their homes. They questioned the placement of gas plants in the middle of residential areas, emphasizing the safety concerns associated with such a practice.
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) stated that it had denied permission three times the previous year for the construction of an LPG storage and filling plant at the site, citing the failure of designs to meet the safety distance requirements and the high population density around the proposed site.
Embakasi, the site of the explosion, is a residential and industrial area with a population of about one million, located 10 kilometers from Kenya’s main international airport. The devastating impact of the gas explosion has raised concerns about the safety and regulation of such facilities in densely populated urban areas. President Ruto’s comments point to the urgent need for accountability and stringent measures to prevent similar disasters in the future.
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