In a recent settlement, the UK has acknowledged the impact of a fire during military training exercises in the Lolldaiga conservancy, committing to compensate those affected amidst ongoing legal battles.
UK Compensates Kenyans Affected by Military Fire Incident
UK Compensates Kenyans Affected by Military Fire Incident
The British government agrees to compensate thousands of Kenyans after a military fire in 2021 caused significant damage.
The UK government has reached an agreement to compensate nearly 7,723 Kenyans for damages incurred during a fire ignited by British military training exercises four years ago. This settlement, which emerged from a protracted legal dispute, addresses claims made by residents who reported loss of property and health complications stemming from the incident in the Lolldaiga conservancy, located in Kenya’s Rift Valley.
The British High Commission in Nairobi described the fire as "extremely regrettable" and confirmed that the government allocated substantial resources to resolve the claims. While the specific amount of compensation remains undisclosed, lawyers involved in the case indicated a payout of approximately £2.9 million.
Attorney Kevin Kubai, representing the claimants, characterized the settlement as the "best possible outcome" despite clear frustrations from clients regarding the insufficient compensation for their losses. He underscored that prolonging litigation would have delayed justice for nearly seven years, particularly given the challenge of evidentiary loss over time.
The UK Ministry of Defence had previously cited a camp stove knocked over during training as the likely cause of the fire, which ravaged around 7,000 acres of private property. Legal arguments highlighted environmental destruction due to smoke and the resultant stampedes of wildlife, although the ministry noted that community land was not directly impacted.
As part of remedial efforts, the UK government has been involved in restoring the devastated area, which remains a training ground for British troops, providing valuable contributions to the Kenyan economy. The Lolldaiga conservancy, spanning approximately 49,000 acres near Mount Kenya, has a historical backdrop tied to colonial land disputes.
Controversially, the British Army Training Unit Kenya (Batuk) has faced scrutiny over soldier conduct, including serious allegations of misconduct. Nonetheless, the unit continues to host extensive training exercises, significantly benefiting Kenya's economy yearly.
