An out-of-court settlement has been reached after a four-year legal battle concerning a devastating fire in a conservancy, ignited during a British military training exercise.
UK Government Compensates Kenyans for 2021 Military Fire Incident
UK Government Compensates Kenyans for 2021 Military Fire Incident
The British military agrees to pay damages to thousands of Kenyans affected by a training exercise fire, capping off a lengthy legal process.
In a significant resolution following years of legal contention, the UK government has consented to compensate thousands of Kenyans affected by a fire ignited during a British military training exercise in March 2021. This fire devastated the Lolldaiga conservancy, located in Kenya's Rift Valley, impacting 7,723 claimants who reported losses in property and health issues related to the incident.
A spokesperson for the British High Commission in Nairobi characterized the fire as "extremely regrettable," emphasizing that extensive efforts were expended to address the claims. While the precise amount of the compensation remains undisclosed, estimates indicate that approximately £2.9 million was allocated, according to one of the lawyers involved in the case, Kevin Kubai. Despite the settlement, Kubai remarked that many of his clients found the compensation amounts inadequate for their reported damages.
Kubai noted that pursuing further legal action would have presented challenges, extending litigation potentially up to another seven years, and complicating evidence retrieval due to the passage of time since the incident. Issues arose regarding the lack of medical documentation for health claims attributed to smoke inhalation and the additional risks faced by residents who rely on firewood for cooking.
The UK Ministry of Defence identified that the fire, which impacted around 7,000 acres of land, was likely triggered by an overturned camp stove during military exercises. Although the Ministry reported no direct impact on community land, claims were made regarding environmental damage and the resultant property destruction from stampeding wildlife as a reaction to the fire.
Restoration efforts for the affected conservancy area are underway with assistance from the British government, while military activities continue within the conservancy. The Lolldaiga conservancy, covering roughly 49,000 acres, has a controversial history tied to colonial land seizures in Kenya, which have fostered lingering disputes over land ownership.
Located a mere 70 kilometers from the Lewa conservancy, an area notable for its historical significance in the royal family's engagement proposals, the conservancy remains a vital location for British Army operations. The British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) hosts thousands of soldiers for rigorous training exercises annually, contributing substantially to the local economy. However, allegations concerning misconduct by some soldiers have periodically surfaced, including incidents of violence and abuse.
