No new gas leak at Embakasi blast site, Nairobi police boss says

There is no new gas leakage at the site of an explosion in Embakasi East, Nairobi, that left at least six people dead and nearly 300 wounded, city police boss Adamson Bungei has said, contradicting a warning from the county government.

Bungei, who toured Mradi on Monday, dismissed reports of a leakage, saying all gas cylinders at the site were empty and that residents were safe.

"We have assessed the gas cylinders remaining in the area to make sure none of them is leaking or has pressure. They are all empty. I can assure you as your security commander in Nairobi that you are now safe within this facility," he said.

He urged support from the public as authorities investigate the incident.

What the county said

Earlier on Monday, the Nairobi City County Government issued a warning of a suspected gas leak in Mradi. Still, Governor Johnson Sakaja added that the area had been secured and preventive measures including evacuations taken.

"A multiagency team led by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) and the county disaster team is investigating this," he said.

Sakaja further said all city emergency service providers were on high alert.

The governor also reported that only 30 families remained at the Embakasi Social Hall where the county had been offering shelter and food following the destruction of homes in the explosion on February 1. Sakaja said the majority of the victims had been reunited with their families and found alternative accommodation.

After tracing and verifying the number of displaced persons, the governor said 148 families and 50 businesses were affected by the incident. He pledged that the county and its partners would continue reintegrating displaced families into the community.

"Psycho-social support for victims and members of the community will continue at the Embakasi health facility. The support is being led by the county social service team and supported by partners including Red Cross, the Nairobi Hospital and Amani Counselling Centre," he said.

By Monday, 60 victims were still being treated at various public and private hospitals. They will receive psycho-social care and other material support upon discharge. Financial support will also be given to cater for victims' immediate needs and the econstruction of destroyed buildings.

NEMA official's arrest

The city police boss also confirmed the arrest of a of the National Environmental Management Authority ( NEMA) over the irregular issuance of a permit for the gas plant and said police were searching for more suspects.

"We have one of the officials in custody and the search for more, including the owners of this plant, is ongoing. Those who are supposed to help in this probe know themselves and are asked to surrender. We are, however, pursuing them," he said.

Bungei said police were pursuing at least seven suspects connected to the explosion, among them Derrick Kimathi, the owner of the illegal gas filling plant, Steve Kioko (Kimathi's partner), and the driver of the truck from where the leak originated.

The status of the driver - whether he escaped or died in the blast - remains unconfirmed

On Saturday, President William Ruto called for the dismissal, arrest and prosecution of government officials involved in the issuance of licences for the gas plant. He said they must be held accountable for allowing an illegal plant to continue operating in a residential area yet its licence was cancelled.

"Kenyans have been injured and others have died. The fellows who are involved in this ... the ministry must immediately take action against them. They must be dismissed and prosecuted for the crimes they have committed," he said.