Residents of Mradi village in Embakasi, where a deadly gas explosion occurred last week, are now fleeing their homes.
On Monday morning, the locals were captured leaving their homesteads after encountering a similar smell they did last week, shortly before the explosion, that left 6 people dead and over 300 others with serious injuries and burns.
Nairobi City County Chief Officer Bramwel Simiyu confirmed the fresh gas leak reports, saying that the area has been secured and fire engines dispatched.
He added that EPRA is also aware of the new development and will assess the situation.
“It is just precautionary we have evacuated them as we invited Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) to identify whether there is a threat.
“Somebody reported that there was a fire. We have put emergency services on standby but so far there is no reason for alarm,” he told the media.
On Saturday, four NEMA officials linked to the gas explosion were suspended, shortly after President William Ruto ordered Energy CS Davis Chirchir to take action on all government officials that were involved.
Meanwhile, one of the NEMA officials is currently in custody as the police pursue other suspects.
“Those who are supposed to help in this probe know themselves and are asked to surrender. We are however pursuing them,” Naiorbi Police Commander Adamson Bungei said.
He further said that an autopsy will be conducted on the bodies of the deceased to further aid investigations..
The suspected, at least 7 in number, are set to face murder charges among others. Apart from the four NEMA officials, police are also going after the proprietor of the gas filling station, his business partner and the driver of the gas truck that caused the explosion.
A watchman who was manning the station when the explosion occurred was also arrested on Friday.
