A NEMA official has been detained by the police over the   Thursday night gas explosion in Embakasi that has so far claimed six lives and left 300 people with injuries.

Police have arrested one of the directors at the NEMA and are pursuing more suspects, who will be charged with murder

Nairobi police commander Adamson Bungei confirmed the arrest.

“Those who are supposed to help in this probe know themselves and are asked to surrender. We are however pursuing them,” he said.

Many people were left with multiple and serious injuries and are hoping to be compensated by the owners gas station as well as the government.

The latest 3 victims had sustained serious injuries and were admitted to the Kenyatta National Hospital where they succumbed to their burns.

Many victims have been admitted to various hospitals in the city and are being treated. They include at least 20 who were referred to Kenyatta National Hospital because they  had serious burns.

Police said they are pursuing other suspects who include the owner of the gas filling company, his partner and the driver of the truck suspected to have caused the explosion. Others are 3 Nema official were suspended for illegally issuing a license to the company.

On Saturday, President William Ruto ordered the sacking of the state officials who were involved in issuing the licenses.

The owner of the gas company through his lawyer Wandugi Kirathe also denied the police claims that  he had gone into hiding, saying he has been cooperating with police officers in investigation of the case.

“It is important to note that our client is not hiding, he is available, he is within the public and has been in touch with the police”, Kirathe said.

The government has announced strict measures to ensure compliance and regulation in the sector to reduce such cases, including undertaking assessments for all the gas plants and closing the non-compliant sites and demolishing all the illegal sites.