Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has disclosed that the Embakasi Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) storage and filling plant was not approved to conduct business in the country.
The energy regulator released a statement on Friday, February 2, stating that multiple applications were sent in by LPG from March 19, 2023, June 20, 2023, and July 31, 2023, seeking permission to commence operations. However, the applications were all denied, as they fell short of the basic requirements for an LPG storage and filling plant in highly populated location.
EPRA’s statement partly read:
“EPRA noted that the high population density around the proposed site and the applicant was requested to submit a Qualitative Risk Assessment clearly indicating the radiation blast profiles in the unfortunate case of an operation like the one that happened yesterday,
“The blast profiles are simulated by use of computer software and indicate the effect of a typical blast in terms of heat radiation and tremor/vibration and are useful in reviewing the safety of the surrounding areas,” EPRA stated.
The agency explained that there is critical auditing of all LGP plants that have been licensed in the country to ensure that the health and safety of people and the environment are not compromised.
“Administrative actions are always taken to ensure that operating licenses for all plants rated below the high safety integrity status are revoked.
“In addition, surveillance and enforcement actions are taken including demolishing illegal plants across the country and curbing malpractice in the sector.”
News Central reported that three people were killed, and not less than 200 sustained various degrees of injuries after a truck conveying gas exploded in the Embakasi district.