One of the owners of the Embakasi gas plant where a deadly explosion occurred leaving six people dead and at least 300 injured has surrendered to the police.
Derrick Kimathi presented himself at the Embakasi police station accompanied by his lawyer, Wandugi Kirathe and was grilled by detectives.
“He is still talking to the team handling the matter. We will know more,” Nairobi police boss Adamson Bungei confirmed to the press.
Previously, Kimathi, through his lawyer refuted claims that the gas plant was operating illegally clarifying that it was operating as a garage.
"Our client had not been operating a gas filling operation on that premises. The premises, for the last few years, has been operating as a garage and until Thursday, it was still operating as a garage. The motor vehicle that caused this incident was trespassing into this property without his knowledge and consent," his lawyer told the press.
He also told police that applications to operate a gas-filling plant in the area were rejected by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
After his applications were rejected, Kimathi put aside his plans to operate the gas plant. The residents, however, confirmed that the place was operating as an illegal gas-filling plant and the people loved it for its cheap gas.
Police who have been pursuing seven suspects are still pursuing the rest including Kimathi's partner Steve Kioko and the driver of the truck believed to have caused the explosion.
