After the tragic gas explosion accident that claimed the lives of three people injuring 220 others, It has now emerged that area residents of the Mradi area, in Embakasi, Nairobi County had raised the alarm over the gas plant’s existence in the area.
According to one Kenyan who goes by the handle KipManu on X (formerly Twitter) he called the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to report activities at the said plant in 2017.
“I used to stay next to Mradi in court 5 and I called NEMA so many times about an illegal gas refill place in Mradi. They used to handle gas so carelessly. I hope it’s not the same place that’s burning.” Stated KipManu.
Another Kenyan on x (Boss Yator) also explained how several attempts to reach NEMA on the existence of the plant next to the residential area were futile.
“How did the company get a permit to operate next to a residential area given the hazards it poses” he posed.
Emerging reports have also indicated that the gas plant was illegally set up in the areas.
According to a government spokesman Issac Mwaura, at around 11:30 pm on Thursday, a lorry ferrying gas exploded, igniting a huge ball of fire that spread widely.
“One Lorry of an unknown registration number that was loaded with gas exploded, igniting a huge ball of fire that spread widely. A flying gas cylinder hit Oriental Godown, burning down the said go down which deals with garments & textiles,” he explained.
The inferno spread swiftly to residential homes, nearby business premises and vehicles in Embakasi. Hundreds of residents were forced to evacuate their homes rapidly to avoid falling victim to the fire.
Unfortunately, two people (one adult and one child) succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment at Nairobi West Hospital.
