- Gachagua expressed sadness at the anguish and pain suffered by those who were affected saying they will receive government's full support.
- The DP said investigative agencies had commenced investigations and were in pursuit of the owner of the plant.
Image: PCS
The government has said stern action will be taken against the owner of the gas filling plant in Embakasi that exploded Thursday night killing three people and leaving hundreds injured.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said the Directorate of Criminal Investigations had been firmly instructed by President William Ruto to hunt down and apprehend the owner.
Speaking Friday when he visited the scene and survivors of the tragedy at Kenyatta National Hospital and Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital, Gachagua said the owner must face the law for the deaths, injuries and displacement of hundreds of residents affected.
“It is now clear where this incident took place was an illegal gas filling station. The person operating it was declined a license for the plant. They have been carrying out the activities at night,” he said.
The DP said investigative agencies had commenced investigations and were in pursuit of the owner of the plant.
"DCI officers are in hot pursuit of the owner. The DCI has clear instructions to do whatever it takes and to have the culprit apprehended and presented before the court of law with a litany of charges,” he said.
The DP added that the owner must take responsibility for the deaths of innocent Kenyans and for the injuries and destruction of property.
Energy Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) said in a statement that the plant had been operating illegally after it was banned from running the business.
The DP noted that it was wrong for unscrupulous businessmen to look for shortcuts to quick riches at the expense of the lives of innocent Kenyans.
"I appeal to businessmen not to put money ahead of humanity and lives. It is unthinkable and unfortunate that in pursuit of quick riches by some of the businessmen, lives of Kenyans are endangered,” he added.
He also conveyed President William Ruto’s condolences to bereaved families and sympathies to the patients.
Gachagua said they will push MPs to pass tighter laws with stiffer penalties for those found in violation of laws on trading illegally in petroleum products.
“We will ask the lawmakers to tighten regulations of the handling of petroleum products because of the danger they pose to Kenyans,” he said.
To ensure quick and effective response, a multi-agency team has been formed to coordinate humanitarian assistance to the hundreds of families affected, the DP said.
Gachagua expressed sadness at the anguish and pain suffered by those who were affected saying they will receive government's full support.
"As an administration, we have the responsibility to come through for the people of Kenya when they find themselves in difficult situations,” he said.