The Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) storage and filling plant where a gas explosion happened on Thursday night had been denied operating licence severally, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has revealed.
In a statement, EPRA said that it had received applications from the plant operators on March 19, 2023, June 20, 2023, and July 21, 2023.
"Applications for construction permits for a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) storage and filling plant at the site were received by EPRA on 19th March 2023, 20th June 2023, and 31st July 2023. All applications were rejected as they did not meet the set criteria for an LPG storage and filling plant in that area," EPRA stated.
According to EPRA, the main reason for the rejection was a failure of the designs to meet the safety distances stipulated in the Kenya Standard.
"EPRA noted the high population density around the proposed site and the applicant was requested to submit a Qualitative Risk Assessment clearly indicating the radiation blast profiles in the unfortunate case of an explosion like the one that happened yesterday," the regulator added.
"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."
The regulator stated that the applicant never provided the requested QRA resulting in the rejection of the applications.
EPRA measures
The regulator further stated that they have formulated short and medium-term measures to ensure the safety of all LPG plants in the country is guaranteed.
The measures will include undertaking detailed technical audits of all licensed LPG plants in the country to ensure high safety integrity status in terms of Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE).
"Administrative actions are always taken to ensure that operating licenses for all plants rated below the high safety integrity status are revoked. In addition, surveillance and enforcement actions are taken including demolishing illegal plants operating across the country and curbing malpractice in the sector," EPRA added.
