Embakasi residents are set to sue NEMA, Nairobi City County, the Attorney General, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Maxxis Nairobi Energy, and the Ministry of Energy
The residents, through Francis Mureithi, are now seeking justice in Court a month after a gas cylinder exploded, killing seven people and leaving three hundred others with burns at the Mradi area of Embakasi East constituency.
Mureithi alleges that the six entities failed to carry out their duties diligently, exposing the residents of Mradi to the tragedy that befell them.
According to the petitioner, NEMA, Nairobi city council, the Ministry of Energy, and EPRA failed the people of Mradi by allowing the licensing and operation of the gas refill facility within a residential area.
Further, the Nairobi County government is blamed for failing to adequately protect the residents of Mradi from harm occasioned by the operation of the gas refill facility, failing to respond in a timely and expeditious manner to the fire tragedy, and for other breaches.
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Maxxis Energy, the business entity operating the refill facility, on the other hand, is accused of failing to ensure that the activities taking place at the property were undertaken safely.
They are also facing accusations of failing to provide treatment, housing, and compensation to the victims of the gas blast.
Collectively, the petitioner says the six defendants violated their right to human dignity by exposing them to the danger of living close to flammable material and by forcing them to abandon their homes in the wake of the blast, amongst other violations.
Additionally, the petitioner is asking the courts to order the six to provide alternative land or shelter for those affected by the fire.
Grant them access to quality medical treatment and medication, settle their current and future medical bills, and pay general damages to all families who lost loved ones, those who suffered physical or mental injuries, and those who suffered loss and damage to their properties.
