Ruto Orders Arrest of Govt Officials in Embakasi Gas Explosion In 24hrs
President William Ruto has mandated the firing, apprehension, and confinement of government authorities responsible for granting licenses to the gas-filling facility that erupted in Embakasi on Thursday evening.
Addressing the audience at the groundbreaking event for Chekalini Market in Lugari, Kakamega County, Ruto clarified that the gas-filling plant was in operation in violation of the law.
He mentioned that unethical government authorities granted licenses to the gas dealers, allowing them to operate in a residential area and thereby putting the lives of Kenyan citizens at risk.
The president consequently called for the removal and apprehension of the government officials within a 24-hour timeframe to address the allegations brought against them.
“In Nairobi, there was an explosion causing grave injuries to many people because of laziness, deceit and corruption in government offices. Some granted a licence for the plant to be established at a residential area endangering the lives of Kenyans,” Ruto stated.
“I have instructed the Ministry that those responsible for granting the licence should be fired, arrested and detained today,” he added.
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He mentioned that these government officials accepted bribes to ignore the law, resulting in the explosion on Thursday night that has so far claimed three lives.
“They (gas filling plant owners) were instructed not to establish the facility but due to bribery and lack of discipline, the licence was issued and now we have a problem in our hands,” the head of state noted.
Ruto issued the directive shortly after Daniel Kiptoo, the head of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), verified that the gas filling facility operated in both Embakasi and Nanyuki.
Kiptoo stated that the EPRA authorities conducted a raid at the Nanyuki facility and apprehended the employees for operating without the necessary authorization.
He verified that the company held a license solely for the transportation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
Director-General Kiptoo stated that the gas-filling plant’s request to set up a facility in Embakasi was declined on three occasions due to its failure to adhere to the specified safety distances in the vicinity.
Ruto Orders Arrest of Govt Officials in Embakasi Gas Explosion In 24hrs
