It has now emerged that the Embakasi gas explosion was a s a result of greedy truck driver and gas retails.
According to a witness who spoke to Citizen TV, drivers of the trucks ferrying gas engaged in an illegal gas selling business that went on at night.
They are said to have targeted retails and hotel owners as well as those who use gas frequently.
“Hiyo gari ya gas iliingia kitu kama 10:20pm hapo juu hiyo ndio masaa watu hufunga job, wakati ilifika kwa gate ikafunguliwa na soldier ikaingia ndani…Kuingia ndani, driver kuna ile tabia huwa wako nayo wanakuja nje kutafuta watu wako na mitungi ya gas kujaziwa…especially walikuwa wanaendea wale wanauza za retails na kwa mahoteli hivi…wale watu wanajua wanatumia gas sana,” the witness shared.
According to the witness, gas users preferred this mode of refilling because it was cheaper.
On the fateful night more than 10 gas cylinders were taken into the gas station for refilling. 10 minutes later, he noticed that something was amiss.
“Kutoka nje, nilipata hiyo gas imesambaa kila mahali…ukitoka nje ukijigusa unaona ni kama mist, unaona vile hiyo gas inatembea kama mawingu. Kitu ya kwanza niliambia watu tutoke twende kwa sababu vile tumeinhale italeta shida,” he said.
The source further said that the driver had difficult in locking the valves hence leading to the disastrous explosion.
“Huyo driver wakati alitoa hiyo gas ni kama alishindwa kulock hiyo tanker, akitoka kwa kampuni ndani nilimwona akitoka nje alikuwa anableed akiambia watu hii nimejaribu kwa uwezo wangu imenishinda na naona itakuwa disaster hapa, hivyo aliongea hivyo ndio alienda,” he stated.
7 people have died from the explosion with over 250 still nursing injuries.
