Gas Plant Owner In Fatal Embakasi Explosion Granted Ksh.500K Bail, Ordered to Surrender Passport
On Wednesday, February 28, Milimani Principal Magistrate Dolphina Alego released the proprietor of the Embakasi gas facility, where over three Kenyans lost their lives.
Magistrate Alego granted him release on a cash bail amounting to Ksh500,000, or he could opt for an alternative Ksh2 million bond.
Moreover, the judge mandated the entrepreneur to hand over his travel papers, including his passport.
“These are the orders of this court, the suspect to deposit his passport in this court and the remaining investigations to continue when the respondent deposits the cash bail,’ the ruling read in part.
The attorney pointed out that there was no need to detain his client any longer, emphasizing that the individual was experiencing health problems and required medical care.
However, the businessperson has been released, even though the prosecution requested an extension of the individual’s detention to 14 days.
Moreover, the investigating officer had objected to the suspect’s release, contending that it could potentially disrupt the ongoing investigations.
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The court was informed by the officer that additional time was required for conducting investigations, which involved reviewing reports from pertinent organizations like the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
He was one of the individuals apprehended by investigators for running an illicit gas facility that detonated on February 2, causing extensive harm to both human lives and property.
The gas facility functioned within a residential zone, and residents expressed frustration that their attempts to close it down were unsuccessful. They revealed that, on the day of the incident, someone had alerted authorities about a potential gas leak.
Apart from the proprietor, individuals from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) faced suspension, with some of them being taken into custody.
Embakasi Member of Parliament, Babu Owino, has urged swift investigations and is advocating for the resignation and impeachment of several officials, including Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir.
“He ought to have followed up and known that this company that isn’t issued with the license to trade, why is it proceeding to do so and he is also vicariously liable under the law of Tort,” he stated on February 15.
Gas Plant Owner In Fatal Embakasi Explosion Granted Ksh.500K Bail, Ordered to Surrender Passport
