Suspects in Embakasi gas explosion detained for 21 days

They include Derrick Kimathi, who was the owner of the ill-fated gas plant; Joseph Makau, David Walunya Ong'are and Marrian Mutete Kioko who are officials of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).

The court also ruled that the third respondent, David Walunya Ongare, be detained for a maximum of 14 days at a police cell near a medical facility due to his medical condition.

The suspects will be remanded at Embakasi Police Station as the probe into the gas explosion that has so far claimed the lives of seven people and injured nearly 300 others continues.

Police say that they are investigating murder, conspiracy to commit a felony, negligence acts, causing harm, and abuse of office charges against the suspects.

They were first arraigned in court on Tuesday before Nairobi magistrate Dolphina Alego where the detectives made a miscellaneous application to detain them for 21 days.

Kimathi is the proprietor of the illegal gas-filling plant in Mradi, Embakasi East where fire broke out on Thursday night, killing seven people and injuring nearly 300 others.

The prosecution told the court that the four persons had gone into hiding since the matter was reported, and a lot of resources have been used to track them down, adding that they should not be released on police cash bail.