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Governor Abdulswamad inspects Mombasa gas stations in wake of Embakasi tragedy

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir inspecting gas filling stations in his county. (Farhiya Hussein)

By Farhiya Hussein | Wednesday, February 7, 2024

The move by the county follows a gas explosion in Nairobi that left seven people dead and others injured.

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Officials in the Mombasa County government inspected gas filling stations to ensure compliance in a bid to avert tragedy.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir on Wednesday said five stores were closed as the county adopted stringent measures aimed at ensuring the safety of the residents.

The move by the county follows a gas explosion in Nairobi that left seven people dead and others injured.

Governor Abdulswamad inspected the gas filling stations in Nyali and Mvita sub-counties and warned businesses without licences against continuing with operations.

“We will send letters to all major gas filling stations to desist from supplying gas to anyone who does not have necessary permits,” he said.

Abdulswamad directed that all sub-county administrations be given a memo and informed they need to go around gas filling stations to ensure compliance.

He said the fire department, in collaboration with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the Energy Regulatory Commision of Kenya (EPRA), will conduct comprehensive inspections of all gas outlets to verify their compliance in a bid to safeguard neighbouring areas from potential hazards.

“The county fire department will also inspect to ensure the neighboring areas are not at risk,” he said.

He urged residents to report any cases of gas leaks or unscrupulous businesspeople in gas stations to 0738222555.

He noted so far no licenses nor any fire inspection certificate had been issued and urged businesses to do an online application.

“Immediately they do the application online in line with EPRA and NEMA, then the fire team will inspect them before issuing certificates,” he said.

Last week, the fire erupted on February 1, at Mradi village in Embakasi at around 11:30 pm. The fire is said to have erupted after a lorry carrying gas cylinders blew up just before midnight in the densely populated area.