Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) want the court to prosecute the owner of the Embakasi gas plant in Mradi with seven counts of murder.
The defendants who remain in detention after the judge granted the police 21 days to complete their investigations will face further charges for operating a business without a license.
DCI officers are probing the Embakasi gas explosion, which killed seven people and injured more than 200.
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Police investigations indicated that the petrol refill point's staff and management were negligent.
Four suspects, including Derrick Kimathi, who claimed to be the proprietor of the illicit gas factory, were presented before a Nairobi court, and the police demanded 21 days to keep them.
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (Epra) announced that activities at the plant had been suspended after investigations found that they were refilling petrol cylinders of other brands without authorization.
The Petroleum Institute of East Africa accused the judiciary of neglecting to impose deterrent sentences on those who violated regulations.
Other accused who appeared before Nairobi Magistrate Dolphins Alego were National Environment Management Authority (Nema) employees David Walunya Ongare, Joseph Makau, and Marrian Muteta Kioko.
DCI police are still looking for the truck driver who reportedly arrived at the petrol refill station on that tragic day.
DCI chief Mohammed Amin confirmed Wednesday that the police are still searching for the remaining five suspects.
DCI boss Amin stated that the police are looking for Stephen Kilonzo, the site manager of the petrol refill facility, as well as other high Nema officials.
As the inquiry continues, Embakasi police officers who spoke with The Standard claimed that certain high-ranking officers in Nairobi shielded the operators from arrest.
