×
App Icon
The Standard e-Paper
Kenya's Bold Newspaper
★★★★ - on Play Store
Download Now

Stop proliferation of illegal gas facilities in residential areas

Vocalize Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Vocalize

An overview of the scene where gas exploded in Mradi area Embakasi on February 3, 2024. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Are our regulatory authorities inept or simply corrupt? I couldn't help but ask this question after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) said in a statement that the Embakasi gas plant, where three people were killed and nearly 300 injured last week following an explosion, had been operating illegally since EPRA had rejected three applications for permits to build a storage and filling facility at the site.

Grounds for the rejection? The facility's designs did not meet safety standards and there was a high population around the proposed site. So why then did it continue operating? Where was EPRA? The National Environment Management Authority has confirmed that the Environmental Impact Assessment licence for the plant was processed unprocedurally, meaning that some officers were compromised.

Premium Article

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Bold Reporting Takes Time, Courage and Investment. Stand With Us.
Continue Reading  →
What you get
  • Unlimited access to all premium content
  • Ad-free browsing experience
  • Mobile-optimised reading
  • Weekly newsletters & digests
Pay via
M - PESA
VISA
Airtel Money
Secure Payments Kenya's most trusted newsroom since 1902
By Sammy Mose 13 hrs ago
Sports
Kirimi powers to glory at VetLab Club event
Sports
Strathmore Swords bounce back to slice Eldonets in league battle
Sports
K'Ogalo silence Muranga Seal to move one win away from title
By AFP 15 hrs ago
Sports
African stars in Europe: Antoine Semenyo wins it for City