In a recent development, the Kenyan government attributes Thursday night’s LPG plant blast in Nairobi to incorrect cylinder refilling methods, resulting in a tragic gas explosion claiming three lives and injuring 280.
Energy and Interior Cabinet Secretaries, Davis Chirchir and Prof. Kithure Kindiki, reveal that the cylinders were refilled with direct manifold connections to the LPG tanker, significantly escalating leakage risks.
As a response, the government vows to demolish illegal gas storage and filling plants nationwide, conduct risk assessments for compliance, and implement punitive measures for unauthorized cylinder filling.
Additionally, a new LPG growth strategy will be initiated, incorporating a track and trace framework for improved traceability.
The authorities stress the importance of strengthening the LPG data verification framework and enhancing public awareness for safety.
The illegally constructed plant in Nairobi’s Embakasi, responsible for the recent LPG blast, faced demolitions by EPRA in March 2020 and January 2021. Operators were subsequently charged in court following these incidents.
