Share this Post
The LPG explosion that shook the Mradi area of Nairobi on the night of February 1, 2024, is not just an isolated incident; it is a damning testament to the systemic failures in Nairobi County’s enforcement of laws, rules, and regulations. The blame game is in full swing, with token dismissals meant to appease the public. Furthermore, a lowly night guard has been arrested, a symbolic move to portray zealous government action.
This incident starkly aligns with one of our core missions—to champion for proper and efficient city planning. City planning plays a pivotal role in fortifying social relations, ensuring citizens’ safety, and minimizing the potential for calamities. While building codes and land use planning have proven effective globally, they are often nonexistent or poorly implemented in Nairobi County and in Kenya as a whole. Weak regulations, coupled with corruption, shift the risk from construction companies to the vulnerable residents.
Rapid urban development, a reflection of economic growth, concentrates people and assets in hazardous locations, particularly in informal settlements. This exacerbates the extensive and intensive risks faced by low and middle-income earners. Urban development, characterized by unequal access to infrastructure, services, and security, perpetuates social segregation, forcing low-income households into areas prone to disasters.
We are committed to advocating for more efficient and effective planning and we are determined to lobby for the stringent enforcement of planning regulations to prevent incidents like the Mradi explosion from recurring. Those responsible must not escape with job dismissals; they must face the full force of the law and be held accountable for their role in these crimes. In our eyes, no life is less valuable, and we demand accountability.
