3 NEMA Officials Detained Over Embakasi Blast; 2 on the Run
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have apprehended three individuals from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) in connection with their participation in the illicit gas facility that detonated in Embakasi the previous week.
As per the DCI’s announcement, the proprietor of the gas plant was captured after willingly turning himself in to the police.
This occurrence follows President William Ruto’s directive to apprehend government officials responsible for granting licenses to the unauthorized facility, just a few days ago.
The authorities are searching for a driver linked to the truck suspected of unlawfully discharging gas at the facility.
“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.
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The DCI encouraged Kenyan citizens to provide information about the officials’ location by contacting the police at 0800722203. Additionally, images of the wanted individuals were posted on official DCI platforms to assist the public in recognizing them effortlessly.
Significantly, the apprehension of the authorities occurred shortly after NEMA suspended four of its staff members in connection with the explosion. The quartet, including three individuals currently in custody, purportedly granted operational certificates to the facility situated in a heavily populated zone.
Up to this point, six individuals from Kenya have lost their lives, and more than 300 others are currently receiving medical care in different hospitals in Nairobi. Additionally, numerous residences and vehicles, valued at millions, were damaged as a result of the explosion.
According to reports, there was a gas leak from the plant on that fateful evening, causing residents to sound the alarm about the incident. The plant erupted in an explosion moments after two mechanics tried to restart a stalled car.
3 NEMA Officials Detained Over Embakasi Blast; 2 on the Run