Residents of Rabai constituency in Kilifi county have called for closure of all companies operating illegally.
They say many companies are operating secretly.
Two weeks ago, a fire broke out at an illegal gas refilling company.
“It was by sheer luck and grace of God that our houses were not burnt down,” Mariam Washenga, whose house is a few metres from the company, told the Star yesterday.
The accident happened at around midnight, when many people were asleep.
Gas cylinders from the company were thrown more than a kilometre away, some falling on Washenga’s roof and others in the farm.
Washenga said she was woken up by a heavy explosion.
“At first, we thought we had been attacked when we saw the burning gas cylinders flying in the sky. We called the police who arrived at around 4am with the fire engines,” she said.
The company's management was not available for comment.
Jubilee Nominated Senator Emma Mbura has called for thorough inspection of the companies.
