President William Ruto has issued orders to the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to hunt down and apprehend the owner of the illegal Embakasi gas plant that exploded on Thursday, February 1.
Speaking on Saturday in Kakamega, Ruto said those who approved licenses for the killer gas station should be arrested immediately and jailed.
“I have instructed the Ministry that those officials who licensed the gas station in a residential area against the law to leave office by end of today and be jailed,” said Ruto.
Without naming the agency responsible, Ruto said the approval of the facility was out of corruption.
“I want to say without the avoidance of doubt, the government officials who issued licenses for gas installation in residential areas when it was very clear that it was the wrong thing to do but because of corruption and incompetence,
“They issued licenses, today we have Kenyans who have died, those fellows, who are involved in this, the Ministry must immediately take action against them,” a tough talking Ruto said.
On Friday, February 2, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua stated that the operator of the plant must face the law for the deaths, injuries and displacement of victims.
Also Read: Questions Raised on How Embakasi Gas Company Escaped Crackdown
Gachagua was visiting victims admitted at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital (KUTRH).
“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.
“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,” said Gachagua
Ruto on New Laws and Penalties
Additionally, the DP stated that Ruto promised to push Members of Parliament (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,
“As an administration we have the responsibility to come through for the people of Kenya when they find themselves in difficult situations,” he said.
Further, to ensure quick and effective response, Gachagua noted that a multi-agency team had been formed to coordinate humanitarian assistance to the hundreds of families affected.
Also Read: REVEALED: Embakasi Gas Station That Exploded Was Declared Illegal in 2020
Gachagua to Businessmen
The DP appealed to business operators in the country to stop endangering the lives of Kenyans in pursuit of money and wealth.
In addition, he asked them to put humanity before money as they went about their businesses.
“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.
Gachagua expressed his sympathy for the victims adding that the government will give them full support through the period.
