The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has been allowed 14 days to continue detaining a fifth suspect in the Embakasi gas explosion tragedy which has left 10 people dead and over 300 others with serious injuries.
Milimani senior principal magistrate Martha Nanzushi on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, ordered the suspect Isaac Kipchirchiri, who is said to be directly involved in the deadly incident to be detained for two weeks at Embakasi Police Station pending completion of investigations.
The prosecution sought custodial orders saying that the suspect was not available at the preliminary stages of the investigations as he was in hiding and had crucial information that would aid the probe over the gas explosion.
The court was told that the suspect was arrested on February 12, 2024.
Already four other people including Embakasi gas plant owner Derrick Kimathi have been detained for 21 days pending investigations.
The presiding magistrate Dolphina Alego last week directed that Kimathi, who is the owner of Maxxis Energy Nairobi Limited, Joseph Makau and Marian Mutete be detained at Embakasi police station to ease investigations.
However, David Warunya On’gare was detained alone at Capitol Hill police station for 14 days to enable him to access medication whenever needed.
The magistrate concurred with state prosecutors Dorcas Rugut, Harbert Isonye, Sonnia Njoki, and James Gachoka that the matter is of immense public interest.
She said the court takes judicial cognizance that several people died and over 300 people are nursing serious burn injuries.
She added that police need to be given ample time to finalise their Investigations.
The DPP said the suspects so far arrested allegedly committed the offences within four years between January 1, 2020, and February 2, 2024, at Maxxis Energy Nairobi Limited.
The prosecutor said the deaths occurred on the nights of February 1 and February 2, 2024, arising from a massive explosion which also caused damages running into tens of millions of shillings on vehicles and buildings.
The prosecution reveals that the suspects in custody are being investigated for the offences of murder, conspiracy to commit a felony, negligence of duty and abuse of office contrary to the law.
The case was fixed for mention on February 28, 2024.
