City Affairs

Embakasi gas plant owner, two NEMA officials detained for 21 days

The State presented Derick Kimathi and three NEMA officials in court.

By Lucy Mumbi | Wednesday, February 7, 2024

The state expressed fears that the respondents would interfere with witnesses and are a flight risk.

The owner of the Embakasi gas plant that left seven people dead and others injured have been detained for 21 days, to allow the police to conclude their investigations.

The Milimani Law Court on Wednesday ruled that Derrick Kimathi will be locked alongside two NEMA officials, Joseph Makau (Head of Environmental Impact Assessment) and Marrian Kioko.

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The suspects will be held at Embakasi Police Station.

However, NEMA Director of Environment Compliance David Ong'are will be detained for 10 days at Capitol Hill Police Station, with a maximum of 14 days, owing to his medical condition.

The court was on Tuesday supplied with his medical papers.

Lead prosecutor James Gachoka noted that in their application for detention, they highlighted that they needed the four to be held at Embakasi Police Station.

On Tuesday, the prosecution requested the court to detain them for 21 days to allow the police to conclude investigations.

The state expressed fears that the respondents would interfere with witnesses and are a flight risk.

The prosecution further argued that the lives of the four might be in danger considering the loss of lives, properties and injured victims from the Embakasi fire. The court detained them for a day ahead of the Wednesday ruling.

According to the police, five more suspects remain at large. They include; Stephen Kilonzo (site manager), Ann Kabiri Mirungi (Nema official), Robert Gitau (truck driver) and Abraham Mwangi (driver).

Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said the police had arrested another suspect, Linet Cheruiyot, the Senior Environmental Officer at NEMA.

He said the State will file for custodial orders at a court in Makadara, Nairobi.

DCI urged the public to report or share any information on the suspects' whereabouts via the toll-free line 0800722203 or report at any police station.

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.