𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

The Departmental Committee on Energy chaired by Hon. Vincent Musyoka (Mwala) received submissions from the Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, Mr. Davis Chirchir on the gas explosion incident at Embakasi Nairobi.

The CS, who was accompanied by the Principal Secretary for Petroleum, Mr. Mohamed Liban and EPRA Director General, Mr. Daniel Kiptoo, was asked to furnish the Committee with detailed analysis of information on the cause of the explosion and the details of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) plant’s ownership, business registration and licensing for operations.

When giving an account of what transpired on the night of the explosion, CS Chirchir told the Committee that the site of the explosion was not licensed by EPRA to store and refill LPG despite the proprietor, Mr. Derick Kimathi unsuccessfully making three applications for construction permits on the 19th of March, 20th of June and the 31st of July in 2023.

He further disclosed that on assessment of the proposed site, EPRA's technical team noted that the site was a residential area with high population density. The proponent was then requested to provide a Qualitative Risk Assessment report clearly indicating the radiation blast profile in case of an explosion.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the explosion was caused by the uncontrolled release of LPG from a road tanker registration number KBJ 185X, ZD2234 registered to Mr. Abraham Nguyo. At the time of the incident, Mr. Mwangi operating under the business name Klear Mwiki Gas Suppliers, was licensed by EPRA to transport LPG in bulk by road under Licence No. EPRA/LPG/10342,” CS Chirchir told the Committee.

The Committee also sought to know the measures put in place by EPRA to ensure that no unregistered or unlicensed LPG plant is operating illegally in the country and mitigation measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring.

In response, Mr. Kiptoo told the Members that EPRA had suspended all operating licenses issued to Maxxis Nanyuki Energy and Klear Mwiki gas suppliers. He further stated that the authority had shut down all LPG facilities located within a radius of 200 meters from residential areas and whose technical audit score was less than 50 per cent, which is rated as "High Risk".

The Committee was also assured that legal action is being pursued against the culprits and that EPRA is collaborating with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and other investigative agencies to ensure a satisfactory conclusion of the investigations.