Gas plant owner in fatal Embakasi explosion granted Ksh.500K bail

Derrick Kimathi, the owner of Maxxis Energy Nairobi Limited, was released by Senior Principal Magistrate Dolphina Alego on a cash bail of 500,000 and an alternative bond of Ksh.2 million.

The prosecution had requested an extension of time to complete its investigations into the matter, but the court declined.

The court was informed that the investigation team had recorded statements from 363 witnesses, the majority of whom were victims, and had received 265 completed P3 forms from the victims, with an additional 30 victims yet to record their statements.

The DCI is looking into a number of cases, including murder in violation of sections 203 and 204 of the Penal Code, as well as conspiracy to commit a felony.

Others include negligent acts causing harm in violation of Section 244 of the Penal Code and abuse of office in violation of Section 46 as read with Section 48 (91) of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act of 2003.

“The investigations are complex considering the seriousness of the offences, the expansive of the investigations including the high number of victims’ and witnesses, and amount of time required to access all the witnesses and documents,” Kariuki stated in his affidavit filed in the court.