Law enforcement officials have asked Kenyans to provide any information that could lead to the arrest of five more suspects linked to the Embakasi gas explosion that left at least six people dead and hundreds injured on Thursday, February 2, 2024.
The incident at an illegal LPG gas refilling point also left locals counting losses after neighbouring residential buildings, businesses and cars were damaged in the blast and the subsequent inferno.
Sleuths drawn from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations(DCI) noted that they are still actively searching for two other National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) officials, two drivers and the site manager and asked for information that can help authorities apprehend them.
“These include Stephen Kilonzo (the site manager), Ann Kabiri Mirungi of NEMA, Lynette Cheruyoit (NEMA’s Senior Environmental Officer), truck driver Robert Gitau and Abraham Mwangi (driver),” DCI stated.
Adding; “Should you have information on the whereabouts of any of the suspects, please #FichuakwaDCI by calling our toll-free hotline 0800722203 or report at any police station.”
Meanwhile, several suspects have so far been arrested including the site owner Derrick Kimathi who surrendered to the authorities.
Others include three NEMA officials who were found culpable; David Ongare (Director of Environment Compliance), Joseph Makau (Head of Environmental Impact Assessment) and Mirrian Kioko.
Notably, on Saturday, February 3, 2024, the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) asked at least four officials to step aside as investigations into the issuance of a license to the illegal gas-filling plant continue.
NEMA noted that the four including the Director of environmental compliance, Acting Deputy Director of Compliance, Senior environmental officer in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) section and head of environmental impact assessment in the EAI section, overlooked the plant’s failure to comply and processed the license in an unprocedural manner.
“After a thorough assessment of the licensing procedure and processes the Board of Management has noted with great concern some serious gaps in the issuance of the license to the LPG plant in question,” Nema board chairperson Emilio Mugo said.
“The board therefore directs that the implicated officers step aside immediately pending further investigations by the relevant government agencies.”
NEMA’s move followed President William Ruto’s order to immediately sack, arrest and prosecute government officials who issued licences to the gas filling plant.
