In response to the tragic Embakasi gas explosion that claimed lives and injured many, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has taken decisive steps.
Four officials have been suspended, including:
- Director of Environmental Compliance
- Acting Deputy Director of Compliance
- Senior Environmental Officer
- Head of Environmental Impact Assessment
This move comes after President William Ruto ordered the suspension and arrest of officials accused of negligence and issuing certificates of operation to the illegal gas plant responsible for the ‘Embakasi explosion’. NEMA’s Chairman, Emilio Mugo, stated, “The Board further requests the relevant government agencies to commence an immediate investigation. The National Environment Management Authority’s Management is also hereby directed to cooperate with the already established multi-agency teams handling the incident.”
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Expressing condolences to the victims’ families and wishing a swift recovery to the injured, the NEMA Board detailed its preliminary investigations. Gas plant owners submitted an Environment Impact Assessment project report to NEMA in July 2020, seeking permission to install and operate the Embakasi facility. The report underwent sectorial review and comments from various agencies, including EPRA, Nairobi City’s Director of Physical Planning, and others.
Despite a review in July of the following year raising concerns, NEMA issued an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) license in response to the gas plant owners’ submissions. Gaps in the license issuance process were later identified by the NEMA Board, prompting further investigations that revealed procedural lapses by the four suspended officers.
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“The Board, therefore, directs that the implicated officers step aside immediately pending further investigation by the relevant government agencies,” stated NEMA, aligning its decision with President Ruto’s directive. The Board emphasized the need for compliance with laws in the construction of the LPG plant and pledged transparency in addressing the identified gaps.
