The driver in charge of the truck ferrying gas at Maxxis Energy Nairobi Limited in Embakasi which exploded has been arrested together with two other suspects.
Joseph Muia Manyolo who was the driver of the truck that exploded was brought before court alongside Oliver Mumo Munuve and Austin Lilechi in a miscellaneous application by the leading officer investigating the matter to seeking orders to hold the three suspects for 14 days to complete the investigation.
The three suspects had been at large since the tragedy occured on the night of February 1 and 2, 2024 where a gas tanker exploded leaving 11 people dead and more than 400 with serious injuries.
Isaac Kariuki an officer attached at Regional Criminal Investigations Office in Nairobi area has pleaded with the court to grant 14 days to hold the suspects at Embakasi police station in order to complete the Investigations concerning them.
The officer told the court that the three were arrested on diverse dates between February 29 and March 4, 2024, for the suspicion of committed the offences of murder, conspiracy to commit a felony, negligent act causing harm and abuse of office which is contrary with the law.
They were alleged to have committed the offenses on diverse dates between January 1, 2020 and February 2, 2024 where through their negligent acts an explosion occurred within the premises of Maxxis Energy Nairobi Limited in Embakasi Sub-county within Nairobi county where 11 people so far have been confirmed dead and 400 others sustained serious injuries.
Mr. Kariuki told the court that Oliver Mumo Munuve was the electrician in the company whereas Austin Lilechi is the purported owner of the plot and landlord to the premises where the explosion occurred.
The officer added that Mumo was the electrician who was doing the electrical works at the scene and was assisting with equipments related with gas refilling and he fled the scene immediately after the incident,
” Your honor the suspect had been at large since the incident occured and he is believed to give reliable information on the ongoing enquiry,” said Kariuki.
Austin Lilechi is the suspect landlord who facilitated the activities at the said scene by conspiring with the main suspect Derrick Kimathi and fraudulently rent the land to him where also they believe he is holding crucial information to be relied on by investigating team.
The officer pleaded with the court to grant orders to hold them in the ground that there are likelihood of retrieving more bodies from the debris and more victims are turning for the report and statements recording.
The officer also told the court that the wreckage of multiple mortor vehicles and LPG refilling equipments that were involved in the explosion have not been identified due to the complete damage occasioned by the incident and the assessment of the structures that were damaged has not been done as the scene is yet to be declared safe,
“Your honor we need time to identify the equipments that were involved in the explosion which were completely damaged and the assessment of the structures affected has not been done,” Kariuki said.
In convincing the court, the officer also said that several exhibits were thrown all over with some on top of the neighbouring buildings and they are yet to be removed and the scene of the offense is not fully processed.
He further added that preliminary Investigations have revealed that Muia was the driver of the truck registration number KCX 375 Z / ZD 9589 that was loaded with gas from Mombasa to the scene and he was seeking for more days to travel to Mombasa to identify the source of the LPG and he believes he is holding crucial information to propel the Investigation.
The Milimani senior principal magistrate Gilbert Shikwe will give the directions in the matter today (Thursday) on whether the suspects will be remanded for the requested time or freed them on bond