The illegal operation of the gas filling station in Embakasi, Nairobi, where an explosion happened on Thursday night, has been confirmed by the Energy Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
For several reasons, including the dense population in the area, EPRA reports that it has denied all applications for construction permits for a liquefied petroleum gas storage and filling plant at the Mradi area in Embakasi, Nairobi County.
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In a statement released on Friday, EPRA stated that it had received applications on March 19, 2023, June 20, 2023, and July 31, 2023.
However, according to the Authority, all applications were turned down because they did not meet the LPG filling and storage facility requirements in that location.
According to EPRA, the designs' inability to adhere to the safety distances required by the Kenya Standard was the primary cause of the rejection.
Given the high population density surrounding the proposed site, EPRA noted that the applicant was requested to submit a Qualitative Risk Assessment (QRA) indicating the radiation blast profiles in the unfortunate event of an explosion.
"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," said EPRA.
According to EPRA, the applicant never provided the requested QRA, resulting in the rejection of the applications.
"As the regulator, we have formulated short and medium-term measures to ensure safety of all LPG plants in the country is guaranteed. This is through actions such as undertaking detailed technical audits of all licensed LPG plants in the country with the objective of ensuring high safety integrity status in terms of Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE)," reads the statement.
The EPRA added that all plants with operating licenses below the high safety integrity status have their licenses revoked automatically through administrative measures.
"In addition, surveillance and enforcement actions are taken including demolishing illegal plants operating across the country and curbing malpractice in the sector," stated the organization.
Following the explosion, nearly 300 people were injured, and three deaths have since been confirmed.
