Embakasi explosion: Police arrest 3 Nema officials

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal investigations (DCI) have arrested three Nema officials in connection to the Embakasi explosion.

In a statement on Tuesday February 6, DCI noted that the three have been arrested as the search for other suspects continues.

“These are David Ongare (Director Environment Compliance), Joseph Makau (Head Environmental Impact Assessment) and Mirrian Kioko,” noted the DCI.

The DCI further indicated that police have intensified a search for five other suspects linked to the Embakasi fire tragedy.

Aftermath of Embakasi explosion PHOTO: Courtesy

“Five other suspects are still at large and are wanted by the DCI to answer to their crimes that have caused untold physical and emotional suffering to fellow Kenyans.

“These include Stephen Kilonzo (the site manager), Ann Kabiri Mirungi of NEMA, Lynette Cheruyoit (NEMA’s Senior Environmental Officer), truck driver Robert Gitau and Abraham Mwangi (driver),” read part of the DCI statement.

Meanwhile, the main suspect Derrick Kimathi, the owner of the LPG refilling company was arrested on February 5.

Several motor vehicles, business premises & residential houses were also destroyed by the harrowing inferno during the tragic incident.

The incident happened on February 1, 2024 at around 11.30pm, when a huge blast incident took place at an illegal LPG refilling point situated at Mradi area of Embakasi, Nairobi.

The LPG refilling site is rented by Derrick Kimathi (the prime suspect) and put under the management of Stephen Kilonzo.

Six people have been confirmed dead while about 300 people sustained injuries during the fire incident.

Some were treated at various hospitals and discharged, while others are still admitted in critical conditions.