The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader Raila Odinga has said the government should compensate every family affected by the Embakasi gas explosion half a million in cash.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Odinga said,
“Each family affected by last week’s fire caused by the gas explosion in Embakasi should be given a cash compensation of Ksh 500,000. This is pure negligence on the part of the Kenya Kwanza administration.”
On February 1, 2024, at around 11.30 pm, a fire caused by an LPG gas explosion at Mradi Area in Embakasi left over 250 people injured and others with no homes.
So far, six people have lost their lives following the explosion that injured 280 others. Residential and commercial buildings were also destroyed with the government led by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino promising to help affected families recover.
Who has been arrested following the Embakasi gas explosion?
President William Ruto called for the arrest of government officials linked to the illegal Embakasi facility where the explosion occurred.
Three NEMA officials and the owner of the facility were arrested following the incident. They include Director of Environment Compliance David Ongare, Head of Environmental Impact Assessment Joseph Kioko, and Mirrian Kioko.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) also arrested Derrick Kimathi who is believed to own the Embakasi gas facility and was arraigned in Mlimani Law Courts.
What is EPRA’s stand on the illegal Embakasi LPG facility?
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has in recent days revealed that the illegally constructed LPG gas refilling facility in Embakasi was previously demolished twice but it was rebuilt.
EPRA also disclosed that three license applications to have the plant built were rejected following safety concerns and the authority shared the reasons behind the rejection to the applicant through email.
Of the injured number, some have been discharged from hospitals around the city while others continue to receive treatment.
Victims of the explosion recounted how they had to run for their lives and the fire spread quickly, damaging vehicles, kiosks, commercial buildings, and residential houses.
The police, the Kenya Red Cross, and St. John Ambulance, among other stakeholders, assisted in the rescue operations and a support centre was also set up at the scene to help those affected by the fire deal with the psychological effects of the tragedy.
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