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Illegal Gas Station in Embakasi Explodes
A massive explosion rocked the Mradi area of Embakasi, Nairobi, on Thursday night, leaving a trail of devastation and raising critical questions about safety regulations in the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) industry. The Energy Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has confirmed that the gas filling station where the incident occurred was operating illegally, having been repeatedly denied permits due to safety concerns.
The tragedy claimed the lives of three individuals and injured nearly 300 others, sending shockwaves through the community and highlighting the potential dangers posed by unauthorized LPG facilities. According to EPRA, the rejected applications for the gas station in Mradi did not meet the stipulated safety standards, particularly regarding population density. Concerns revolved around the lack of a Qualitative Risk Assessment (QRA) to evaluate the potential impact of an explosion in the densely populated area.
EPRA’s statement revealed that they received three applications for construction permits between March and July 2023, all of which were denied due to insufficient safety measures. The authority emphasizes its commitment to ensuring safety in the LPG sector through measures like technical audits of licensed plants, revoking licenses of non-compliant facilities, and demolishing illegal stations.
The Embakasi explosion has ignited public debate on the adequacy of existing regulations and the need for stricter enforcement. Many are questioning how an illegal facility managed to operate undetected, putting lives at risk.
Petition Filed to Remove Chief Justice Koome
Chief Justice Martha Koome is facing calls for her removal from office after a petition was filed with the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) alleging irregularities in her appointment of members to the Tax Appeal Tribunal.
The petitioner, Michael Kojo Otieno, accuses the Chief Justice of failing to follow the law and lacking transparency in the appointment process. He claims she exceeded the legal limit on the number of appointees and discriminated against qualified applicants.
“The judge failed to be honest in the execution of powers conferred to her…,” the petition reads, specifically citing provisions of the Tax Appeal Tribunal Act. Otieno further argues that Koome’s actions “violated section 4b of the Act” and were “illegal, null and void.”
The petition calls for the Chief Justice’s removal, stating that her conduct renders her “unfit to hold public office.”
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