Listen to This Article Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

The death toll from the Embakasi gas explosion rose to seven after one more victim succumbed yesterday to injuries while undergoing treatment.

Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura made the revelation in an update on the tragedy that left hundreds of residents of Mradi estate nursing serious burns and admitted to various hospitals.

At the same time, a Nairobi court ordered the detention of four suspects for 21 days to enable the police complete investigations into the tragedy.

Handing down the ruling, the presiding magistrate Dolphina Alego directed that Derrick Kimathi, who is the owner of Maxxis Energy Limited, Joseph Makau and Marianne Mutete be detained at Embakasi police station for ease of investigations.

However, David Warunya On’gare will be detained at Capitol Hill police station for 14 days to enable him access medication whenever needed.

The magistrate concurred with State prosecutors Dorcas Rugut, Herbert Isonye, Sonnia Njoki and James Gachoka that the matter is of immense public interest.

In a statement, Mwaura disclosed that one more person had succumbed to injuries suffered during the gas explosion a week ago.

He added that so far five suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident and four have been at Milimani Chief Magistrate’s court.

“The community of Embakasi, still reeling from the gas explosion on February 1, 2024, faces a sombre development with the death toll now standing at 7, with one more death reported since our last update, We extend our sincere condolences to the bereaved families,” said Mwaura.

He named the latest suspect to be arrested as Linet Cheruiyot who is in police custody after her lawyer presented her at the Embakasi police station where she is being processed to appear at the Makadara law courts later.

“In a significant stride towards recovery, all the victims who were sheltered at the Embakasi Social Hall have either been reintegrated into the community or provided with alternative accommodation, “The government continues to offer extensive support, including both food and non-food items to assist these individuals in rebuilding their lives and returning to normalcy,” read the statement.

Mwaura added that the government’s relief efforts go beyond immediate shelter needs, focusing also on long term support for the affected families.

Comprehensive approach

“This comprehensive approach is indicative of the government’s dedication to ensuring that all those impacted by the tragedy are cared for and supported during their time of need,” he maintained.

The officials also encouraged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any illegal gas filling stations through the number 020 3313004, to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future.

In Court yesterday, the prosecution objected to the defence team’s application to have all the four suspects detained at the Capitol Hill Police Station, instead insisting that they be locked up at the Embakasi police station.

“Your honour we object the application by the defence to detain the suspects at Capitol Hill police station based on reasons that the lead investigating officer finds it convenient for him to investigate the matter while at Embakasi,” said Gachoka.

The magistrate said that the court takes judicial cognisance that six lives were lost and over 300 people are nursing serious burn injuries.

She added that police need to be given ample time to finalise their Investigation. The case was fixed for mention on February 28, 2024.

The prosecution team led by Rugut and Gachoka disclosed that the four are being investigated for the offences of murder, conspiracy to commit a felony, negligence of duty and abuse of office contrary to the law.

Urging the court to detain the suspects for 21 days, Gachoka said the incident being investigated is a matter of great public interest and a national disaster.

He told the magistrate that before the suspects were arrested on February 5, 2024, they had gone to hiding after the explosion.

Massive explosion

“Police need time to record statements from relatives of the six deceased persons and the injured persons who are traumatised and undergoing treatment in various city health facilities,” said Gachoka.

He said the respondents allegedly committed the offences within a span of four years between January 1, 2020 and February 2, 2024 at Maxxis Energy Nairobi Limited within Embakasi subcounty in Nairobi county.

The prosecutor said the deaths occurred on the night of February 1, and 2nd 2024 arising from a massive explosion which also caused damage running into tens of millions of shillings.

– Stories by Oliver Musembi, Gidraph Mwangi and Alphonse Mung’ahu