MPs summon EPRA boss over Embakasi gas incident

Kiptoo will appear before members on Thursday to shed light on the incident

In Summary
  • Members of the committee will be seeking a detailed analysis on the cause of the explosion.
  • They will also be seeking details of the LPG entity including the owners, business registration and licensing.
EPRA Director General Daniel Kiptoo
EPRA Director General Daniel Kiptoo
Image: EPRA TWITTER

National Assembly’s Energy Committee has summoned Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority director general Daniel Kiptoo to appear before it over the February 1, gas explosion in Embakasi, Nairobi.

Kiptoo will appear before members on Thursday to shed light on the incident that claimed seven lives and injured 280 persons.

Several motor vehicles, business premises and residential houses were also destroyed by the harrowing inferno.

“The attention of the committee has been drawn to a press release by EPRA indicating that the LPG entity where the explosion occurred was operating illegally,” the letter to Kiptoo stated.

"Members of the committee will be seeking a detailed analysis of the cause of the explosion."

They will also seek details of the LPG entity including the owners, business registration and licensing.

EPRA will outline processes to ensure no unregistered LPG entity operates in the country and state measures to prevent such incidences.

MPs will also want an assurance that necessary legal process has been taken against the culprits.

On Tuesday, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations was given 14 days to continue detaining a fifth suspect in the tragedy.

Milimani senior principal magistrate Martha Nanzushi ordered the suspect Isaac Kipchirchiri to be detained for two weeks at Embakasi Police Station pending the completion of investigations.

The prosecution sought custodial orders saying that the suspect was not available at the preliminary stages of the investigations as he was hiding and had crucial information to aid the probe.

Already four other people including Embakasi gas plant owner Derrick Kimathi have been detained for 21 days pending investigations.

The government has vowed that those responsible would be held accountable for the explosion.

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