"Wafutwe Kazi Wao Wote " President Ruto Breaks Silent Over the Embakasi Gas Explosion

In a decisive move, President William Ruto has ordered the immediate dismissal of state officials allegedly involved in irregularly issuing licenses for a gas plant operation that resulted in a devastating explosion on Friday morning. Speaking from Lugali on Saturday, Ruto attributed the tragic incident to corruption, lack of integrity, and greed among government officials responsible for granting the license to the operator.

Expressing deep concern, President Ruto directed the Ministry of Energy to ensure that individuals implicated in the matter vacate their positions promptly and face charges for the offenses committed. He emphasized the need for swift action against those responsible for issuing licenses that allowed the operation of a gas plant in a residential area, endangering the lives of Kenyan residents.

"I want to say for the avoidance of doubt, the government officials who issued licenses for gas installations in residential areas when it was very clear that it was the wrong thing to do, but because of incompetence and corruption they issued licenses," President Ruto stated.

He continued, "Today we have injuries, we have Kenyans who have died, those fellows who are involved in this, the ministry must immediately take action against them and they must be dismissed and prosecuted for the crimes they have committed."

President Ruto asserted that individuals involved in such misconduct should not continue holding government office and receiving salaries funded by taxpayers. The directive comes in the wake of a tragic gas plant explosion in Embakasi on Friday morning, resulting in three fatalities and over 280 injuries.

In response to the incident, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki and Energy CS Davis Chirchir issued a joint statement on Friday evening, announcing the government's plans to crack down on gas storage and refilling depots across the country. The Multi-Agency Rapid Results Initiative will oversee the demolition of all illegal sites, and punitive administrative measures will be applied to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) operators found filling cylinders without proper authorization.

CS Kindiki emphasized that the government would conduct a fresh risk assessment for all LPG plants in the country with the intention of closing non-compliant sites. The Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations has raised concerns about the government's failure to enforce regulations, emphasizing the need to protect the public from potential dangers.