The Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) storage and filling plant in Embakasi where an explosion occurred killing three and injuring more than 200 people had no approvals to conduct business, it has emerged.
Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) said all applications by the firm were rejected as they did not meet the set criteria for an LPG storage and filling plant in that area.
EPRA noted that it received the applications on March 19, 2023, June 20 2023 and July 31, 2023.
“The main reason for the rejection was the failure of the designs to meet the safety distances stipulated in the Kenya Standard,” it said.
In a statement to newsrooms, Epra said it noted the high population density around the proposed site.
The authority said it requested the applicant to submit a Qualitative Risk Assessment indicating the radiation blast profiles in the unfortunate case of an explosion like the one that happened on Thursday night.
“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,” Epra said.
The agency said the applicant never provided the requested QRA resulting in the rejection of the applications.
“Email correspondences providing reasons for the rejection were sent to the applicant,” it added.
Epra noted that it has formulated short and medium-term measures to ensure the safety of all LPG plants in the country is guaranteed.
“This is through actions such as 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,” Epra stated.
It noted that administrative actions are always taken to ensure that operating licenses for all plants rated below the high safety integrity status are revoked.
In addition, Epra said surveillance and enforcement actions are taken including demolishing illegal plants operating across the country.
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