Revealed: How greed, carelessness by driver of gas tanker caused Embakasi explosion

Citizen TV can now authoritatively report that the gas explosion at Mradi area in Embakasi, Nairobi County, was as a result of greed from the driver of the ill-fated truck ferrying gas, and unscrupulous traders who were being sold gas illegally.

An exclusive interview with one of the witnesses of the illicit trade before hell broke loose has revealed that it was common practice for drivers to refill gas cylinders to traders and residents in the area at night, an activity they deemed necessary but dangerous.

An amateur video clip captured by a resident of Mradi area showed moments before the gas explosion; residents who are in a panic mood are heard pleading with motorists to avoid the area as gas fumes filled the air.

A few minutes later, an explosion is heard and fire moves from one house to the other as fire fighters fight hard to contain it.

In its trail, leaving behind destruction, death and injuries; seven people have so far died and more than 250 others left nursing injuries.

But just how did this happen in a site where officials from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) had demolished three times and denied the owner license to operate a gas plant last year?

“Hiyo gari ya gas iliingia kitu kama 10:20pm hapo juu hiyo ndio masaa watu hufunga job, wakati ilifika kwa gate ikafunguliwa na soldier ikaingia ndani...Kuingia ndani, driver kuna ile tabia huwa wako nayo wanakuja nje kutafuta watu wako na mitungi ya gas kujaziwa...especially walikuwa wanaendea wale wanauza za retails na kwa mahoteli hivi...wale watu wanajua wanatumia gas sana,” recalled the witness.

“A few traders who are used to buying gas directly from the truck drivers as opposed to the companies, which is more expensive, took their gas cylinders to be filled by the truck driver. The source says he counted more than 10 cylinders being taken inside the company.

“Ika happen amepata watu wa kuwekea gas mitungi ikawekwa huko ndani, so wakati mitungi iliwekwa huko ndani akaanza kujaza, me sikuwa hapo but already nilikuwa nimeona movement,” he said.

However, ten minutes later, residents realised that something was amiss.

“Kutoka nje, nilipata hiyo gas imesambaa kila mahali...ukitoka nje ukijigusa unaona ni kama mist, unaona vile hiyo gas inatembea kama mawingu. Kitu ya kwanza niliambia watu tutoke twende kwa sababu vile tumeinhale italeta shida,” he added.

The driver is reported to have had difficulties to close the valve which he had opened to refill the cylinders and escaped, alerting the traders to vacate as the area was to be engulfed in flames.

“Huyo driver wakati alitoa hiyo gas ni kama alishindwa kulock hiyo tanker, akitoka kwa kampuni ndani nilimwona akitoka nje alikuwa anableed akiambia watu hii nimejaribu kwa uwezo wangu imenishinda na naona itakuwa disaster hapa, hivyo aliongea hivyo ndio alienda,” he stated.

Our source identified the driver as Robert Gitau Murithi, who was a resident in the area and whom detectives are pursuing .

Others being pursued are Stephen Kilonzo, the manager of the site who allegedly knew about the illegal trade, and Abraham Mwangi, the owner of the ill-fated truck which after catching fire flew over 500 metres before landing on top of a house; the wreckage is yet to be removed a week later.

“Kuna wakati walikuwa wanapark hizo magari kwa barabara unaskia harufu ya gas sana, tulikuwa tunaleta shida tunasema wapeleke hizo magari chini wasituchome, most tulikuwa tunawaambia msituletee mambo ya Sachangwan hapa,” he witness noted.

Sources closes to investigations have also informed Citizen TV that they are tracking the movement of the truck which left Tanzania using Loitoktok border on January 26 but arrived in Nairobi five days later on February 1, 2024.

So far, four suspects have been arraigned over the matter including the owner of the site where the incident occurred - Derick Kimathi - who will remain in police custody for 21 days as probe continues.

The others are three suspended National Environment Authority (NEMA) officials David Ongare, Joseph Makau and Maryian Kioko.