Embakasi explosion victims sue Cabinet Secretaries and state agencies, seek compensation

In a petition filed by six victims, all residents of the affected area, two agencies and Cabinet Secretaries have been put on the spot for violating the residents' rights and allowing the unlawful erection of the gas plant.

Among those sued are the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), the County Government of Nairobi and the Attorney General.

Others include the gas tank owner Mwangi Nguyo, Environment CS Soipan Tuya and her Energy counterpart Davis Chirchir.

In their separate affidavits, the victims say that no appropriate action was taken to address the aftermath of the explosion since most businesses operating near the plant were destroyed.

"I went back to check on my business - a chapati vending business which was earning me KES 35,000 monthly - and I found that all my tools of trade were missing. I support my mother and sister financially and I have been unable to support them sufficiently since I lost my tools of trade and I am currently trying to recuperate," said one victim Kennedy Kyalo.

The victims want the court to give an order for compensation for the damages experienced from the tragic incident.

This comes weeks after other residents from the same area took NEMA, the Nairobi City County, the Attorney General, EPRA , Maxxis Nairobi Energy and the Ministry of Energy to court.

Francis Mureithi, the petitioner, alleged that the six entities failed to carry out their duties diligently, exposing the residents of Mradi to the tragedy that befell them.

The owner of the gas plant, Maxxis Energy Nairobi Limited, Derrick Kimathi, was released on a cash bail of Ksh.500,000 and an alternative bond of Ksh.2 million.

Investigation teams have so far recorded statements from 363 witnesses, the majority of whom were victims, and have received 265 completed P3 forms from the victims, with an additional 30 victims yet to record their statements.