Public Service CS Moses Kuria is warning of another danger in waiting, similar to the one witnessed in Mradi village, Embakasi on Thursday night.
Kuria revealed that lives were at risk in Thika where another gas station was operating.
According to him, the gas station is not branded and he suspects that is has no operational license.
He also claims that there are unconfirmed reports that police officers take bribes at the filling station.
“Dear @EPRA_Kethis gas filling place next to Kiandutu Police Station in Thika is the next Embakasi. What I know is that it’s not branded. There is no name at the premises. What I do not know is whether its licenses. I suspect it is not.
“What I do not know is whether the reports from locals that the police spent whole day there receiving bribes are true. That is for you to verify,” Kuria said, accompanied by a video of the premises where workers could be seen filling and loading gas cylinders in a waiting van.
Dear @EPRA_Ke this gas filling place next to Kiandutu Police Station in Thika is the next Embakasi. What I know is that it’s not branded. There is no name at the premises. What I do not know is whether its licenses. I suspect it is not. What I do not know is whether the reports… pic.twitter.com/JNGN90Xz3H
— CS Moses Kuria (@HonMoses_Kuria) February 2, 2024
The Embakasi gas explosion saw 3 people dead and 280 others hospitalized with injuries as well as destruction of property.
In a statement, EPRA confirmed that the gas station in the area was operating illegally.
Photo|Citizendigital
EPRA said it had previously rejected three applications for the construction of Liquified Petroleum Gas and filling plant in the area for reasons such as a high population density.
“Applications for construction permits for a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) storage and filling plant at the site were received by EPRA on 19th March 2023, 20th June 2023, and 31 July 2023. All applications were rejected as they did not meet the set criteria for an LPG storage and filling plant in that area,” the statement read in part.
EORA further asked the gas company to provide a a Qualitative Risk Assessment, outlining the radiation blast profiles if an explosion occurs but the company failed to comply.
“The blast profiles are simulated by use of computer software and indicate the effect of a typical blast in terms of heat radiation and tremor/vibration and are useful in reviewing the safety of the surrounding areas,” said EPRA.
