Senate team summons Energy chiefs over gas fire
By Rawlings, February 15, 2024
The Senate Energy Committee has summoned Energy Cabinet Secretary Davies Chirchir and Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) boss Daniel Kiptoo over the gas explosion that killed at least 10 people in Embakasi.
This even as the lawmakers threatened to censure Chirchir and Kiptoo over what they termed professional negligence and casual handling of the incident.
The committee chaired by Nyeri lawmaker Wahome Wamatinga issued summons to the duo to appear before it on Tuesday to explain the circumstances that led to the explosion.
This is after the two charged with regulation of the energy sector failed to appear before the committee yesterday. The two had invited the two, in what they termed an emergency, to explain the tragedy.
Abdicating duty
Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi) who sought the summoning of the CS and EPRA Director General (DG), said the ministry and the energy regulator are either incompetent or are simply abdicating their duty of regulating the energy sector and saving Kenyans lives.
According to Sifuna, Kenyans, especially those living in Nairobi, are staring at danger because of proliferation of illegal gas filling outlets.
“It is possible that where you live, this danger is there. It is not just about the poor people in Mradi. It’s actually possible that where we host you in this city, you are living with this danger,” he said.