Investigations into the Embakasi gas explosion have taken a new twist after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) boss Daniel Kiptoo revealed more illegal operations by the company owners.
Speaking during an interview on NTV on Friday, Kiptoo revealed that the company in question managed another facility in Nanyuki that was raided a fortnight ago.
According to EPRA, at the Nanyuki facility, it was established that the staff were illegally refilling gas on various brands of gas cylinders without authorisation.
The DG added that staff found at the facility were arrested and arraigned, with the matter still sub judice.
Interestingly, the DG added that the company was only licenced as a transporter of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
"The facility is owned by a company that is licenced by us as a transporter of LPG. The company is also licenced to operate a facility in Nanyuki.
"We did raid the facility the week before last. We found them conducting illegal activities of filling other brand owners' cylinders. We did arrest those who were present on site and prosecuted them in court. The matter is ongoing," the DG stated.
Regarding the Embakasi explosion, Kiptoo attributed the gas leakages to the unprocedural refilling of gas cylinders.
"Our preliminary investigations show that they were filling LPG cylinders directly out of a truck and that is an offence under legal notice 100.
"We are following up in a multi-agency manner to ensure that those responsible are brought to book," he added.
A watchman at the facility was arrested, with the identities of the owners yet to be disclosed.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior and Energy ordered a risk assessment for all gas plants in the country, with EPRA and police directed to destroy all illegal sites.
"Our teams will fully collaborate with other government agencies to investigate this incident and prosecute any persons found in breach of the law," read the joint statement released by CSs Kithure Kindiki (Interior), and Davis Chirchir (Energy).
The Embakasi explosion claimed three lives and injured over 280 people.
