Court Arraigns Four Suspects in Connection with Embakasi Gas Blast

 

Four suspects in the probe into February 1, 2024's gas explosion in Mradi, Embakasi East appear in court on February 6, 2024.

In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…

• Four suspects linked to the Embakasi gas explosion case are brought before court on Tuesday.

• The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) seeks their detention for ongoing investigations.

• Derrick Kimathi, the owner of the illegal gas-filling plant, and three NEMA officials are among the suspects.

• Charges being investigated include murder, conspiracy, negligence, causing harm, and abuse of office.

• Authorities argue against granting bail, citing the suspects' evasion and the resources expended in tracking them.

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Four Arraigned Over Embakasi Gas Explosion

On Tuesday, four individuals implicated in the Embakasi gas explosion incident appeared in court.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) filed a miscellaneous application seeking to detain the suspects—Derrick Kimathi, Joseph Makau, David Walunya Ong'are, and Marrian Mutete Kioko—during ongoing investigations.

Kimathi, identified as the owner of the illicit gas-filling plant in Mradi, Embakasi East, where the fatal fire occurred, faces scrutiny. The blaze claimed six lives and left nearly 300 injured.

The remaining three suspects are alleged National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) officials accused of unlawfully granting a license to Kimathi's company.

Authorities are probing various charges against the suspects, including murder, conspiracy to commit a felony, negligence, causing harm, and abuse of office.

Law enforcement highlighted the suspects' evasion since the incident's report, stressing extensive resources invested in apprehending them. They argue against granting the suspect's police cash bail.

The suspects appeared before Nairobi magistrate Dolphina Alego. The court instructed the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to prepare a response.