3 NEMA Officials Arrested Over Embakasi Explosion as 2 Others Flee

Three National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) officials have been arrested by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over their involvement in the illegal gas plant that exploded in Embakasi last week.

 

According to a statement by the DCI, the gas plant owner was also apprehended after he surrendered to the police. 

 

This development comes days after President William Ruto ordered the arrest of government officials who issued licences to the illegal plant.

 

Meanwhile, a manhunt was launched for two other NEMA officials, two drivers and the Embakasi site manager said to be on the run. 

One of the drivers being sought was responsible for the truck which is believed to have been illegally dumping gas at the plant.

 

"Meanwhile, to ensure that justice has had its way, the DCI teams investigating the dreadful incident have so far arrested the main suspect alongside three NEMA officials who were found culpable.

 

"These are the Director of Environment Compliance, the Head of Environmental Impact Assessment and another official. Five other suspects are still at large and are wanted by the DCI to answer to their crimes that have caused untold physical and emotional suffering to fellow Kenyans," read the statement in part.

 

DCI, therefore, urged Kenyans with information on the whereabouts of the officials to reach out to the police through 0800722203. Photos of the wanted officials were also published on official DCI pages to help Kenyans identify them easily.

 

Notably, the arrest of the officials also came days after NEMA suspended four of its employees over the explosion. The four, three who have been already arrested, allegedly awarded certificates of operation to the plant located in a densely populated area. 

 

So far, six Kenyans have lost their lives with over 300 others nursing injuries in various hospitals within Nairobi. Several homes and vehicles worth millions were also destroyed during the explosion.

 

Reports indicate that there was a gas leak from the plant that fateful evening with residents raising alarm over the incident. The plant exploded seconds after two mechanics attempted to jumpstart a stalled car.