Friday, February 9, 2024 –The Embakasi gas blast was caused by the tanker’s driver who was, at the time, selling and refilling gas for retailers around the area.
In a new twist of events, an eyewitness, told the media that the tanker driver colluded with a group of gas retailers to get their gas cylinders refilled at a lower cost.
The witness further stated that, on the fateful night, the gas tanker driver arrived at the scene at around 10PM and started refiling for his backdoor customers who had empty cylinders.
This looked like something he had been used to doing anytime he arrives at the area to make quick money.
“I personally saw the driver park the trailer and went out looking for buyers. He mostly targets gas retailers and restaurants.
“Later, he found potential buyers, took them inside and began refilling the cylinders. I was not so close to the plant but I could see what was going on,” the witness shared more details.
About eight to ten minutes into the refilling process, the driver could be seen drifting away from the truck as he warned of gas leakage.
“When the driver unlocked the gas, it seems he was unable to lock it back and when he got out of the gas plant, he was warning people of the impending danger,” the witness recalled the events.
Earlier, the residents had on several occasions warned the drivers against parking their trailers close to homes because of the danger they posed.
Upto now, the directorate of Criminal Investigations DCI have arrested a number of suspects who are believed to have caused the fire that claimed seven and left hundreds with critical injuries.
