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Embakasi gas explosion: Gov’t reveals cause of night inferno

This photograph taken on February 2, 2024 shows heavily damaged houses and shops, a day after a gas explosion in the Embakasi area of Nairobi. (Photo: LUIS TATO/AFP)

By Mary Wambui | 03 Feb 2024

Energy CS Davis Chirchir and his Interior counterpart Prof. Kithure Kindiki disclosed that the gas cylinders were refilled using direct manifold connections to the LPG tanker.

The government has revealed the cause of the Thursday night’s explosion at a gas refill plant in Mradi area, Embakasi East, that claimed three lives and left close to 300 others injured.

According to a joint statement by the Ministries of Interior and Energy, preliminary findings indicate that on the fateful night, the refilling of gas cylinders was done using incorrect connections to a tanker at the plant, leading to leakage and a consequent explosion.

“The refilling of liquid petroleum gas cylinders was done using direct manifold connections to the LPG tanker, increasing the risk of leakage and explosion,” the statement said.

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This confirms claims by multiple victims who had been living close to the plant that the gas had leaked extensively before the explosions went off, causing panic and injuries as residents scampered for safety from the inferno.

“We were getting ready to attend a wake when we felt the smell of leaking gas. The smell grew stronger, making us curious as to what was happening, but before long, the first explosion went off. We went outside to check what was happening and saw a huge ball of fire in the air. We then rushed back for our children and, in the process, suffered multiple burns. My sister has since been admitted to the hospital,” said Fenny Kemunto, who was left homeless by the fire, according to the Eastleigh Voice.

Furthermore, the Ministries confirmed that the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) had demolished the plant twice in March 2020 and January 2021 due to its illegal construction at the location, and its operators were subsequently charged in court.

The operators attempted to gain permits for constructing an LPG storage and filling plant on separate dates last year: March 19, June 20, and July 31. However, the ministries rejected all of these attempts for not meeting the set criteria.

The criteria required that the plant be able to pass a risk assessment test and be located away from residential properties, both of which it did not meet.

“Our teams will fully collaborate with other government agencies to investigate this incident and prosecute any persons found in breach of the law,” added the statement.

The government will collaborate with EPRA to demolish illegally operating sites across the country and ensure that a fresh risk assessment closes non-compliant sites for all LPG plants in the country.

Secondly, the state will immediately roll out its own LPG growth strategy, which includes developing and implementing a track and trace framework for LPG cylinders to improve traceability and accountability.

It will also apply administrative measures to all LPG operators found filling cylinders without the written authority of the brand owners.

Finally, the statement said the two ministries will conduct public awareness and sensitization exercises on LPG safety countrywide.