The Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations has accused the government of failing to enforce rules and regulations to protect the public from exposure to danger.
In a statement issued following Thursday night's gas explosion in Nairobi's Embakasi area that left at least three people dead, KARA said the Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) storage and filling plant operated within a residential area.
"It is now emerging that the owners of the plant made an application for a license to operate the facility but were denied yet they continued to operate without a license,” KARA Chief Executive Officer Henry Ochieng said.
He added that the Embakasi scenario is not isolated as there is proliferation of such illegal businesses across various neighborhoods.
Ochieng said KARA demands that all LPG storage and filling stations as well as petrol stations operating within residential areas and within unacceptable safety distance of human habitats be immediately closed down and the proprietors charged with illegal business operation.
"We are ready as Resident Associations to work with the relevant government entities to provide information of such illegal businesses that are operating in our estates and endangering our lives. We must stop impunity,” he stated.
In a status update on Friday, Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura said the fire killed at least three people and injure more than 280 others.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja said at least 145 of them had been treated at various hospitals for burns and discharged.
The Ministry of Health appealed for blood donation to help those still hospitalised.
