In a long awaited resolution, the UK government has agreed to pay £2.9 million approximately $4 million in compensation to more than 7,000 residents affected by a catastrophic wildfire that broke out in March 2021 near the Lolldaiga Conservancy in Kenya, allegedly during a British military training exercise.
Background of the Incident
Occurrence: During a training drill conducted by the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) near Nanyuki, northern Laikipia County, a fire erupted in the adjacent Lolldaiga wildlife conservancy.(Reuters, Wikipedia)
Impact: The blaze ravaged over 10,000 to 12,000 acres of protected land, home to diverse wildlife. Reports included human health emergencies, with inhalation injuries amongst children and elderly, and even one fatality during firefighting.(Kenyans, Wikipedia, Globedge)
Local Consequences: Residents reported destroyed homes, lost livestock and crops, lasting respiratory illnesses, and environmental damage.(Kenyans, The Eastleigh Voice News, Wikipedia)
Legal Journey and Settlement
Class-Action Lawsuit: A local lawyer, Kelvin Kubai who grew up in the affected area filed a collective legal action on behalf of over 7,700 claimants.(Kenyans, The Eastleigh Voice News, Reuters, Ground News)
Settlement Type: The payout is an “ex gratia” settlement, meaning voluntary and not an admission of legal liability.(The Eastleigh Voice News, 9News, Reuters)
Compensation Details: Each beneficiary is slated to receive approximately Sh22,000 (around $170), a sum many consider inadequate given the scale of loss and long term impact.(The Eastleigh Voice News, 9News, Kenyans)
Government Reaction: A spokesperson from the British High Commission expressed regret for the incident and acknowledged the delays in resolving the matter.(Reuters, The Eastleigh Voice News)
Ongoing Concerns and Criticism
Perceived Insufficiency: Local communities and representatives have voiced disappointment. Laikipia MP Cate Waruguru stated in CNN coverage: “It’s a success story because it’s the first time we’ve ever won a case against the British Army in Kenya, but it’s so little it’s almost nothing.”(The Eastleigh Voice News, 9News) Lawyer Kelvin Kubai also expressed that the amount fails “to give [clients] the financial assistance to enable them to move far away from this training.”(9News)
Environmental Recovery: Experts warn the land severely impacted may take decades to recover potentially until 2060.(The Eastleigh Voice News)
Broader Implications: The case raises global questions over the environmental and social impacts of foreign military exercises in Kenya, with long term health and ecological consequences that extend well beyond the immediate damages compensated.(The Eastleigh Voice News, Wikipedia)
Conclusion
In summary, while the British government’s settlement £2.9 million to over 7,700 residents marks a milestone in addressing wrongdoing tied to a military-sparked wildfire, many affected communities argue the compensation is insufficient. The long term environmental, health, and social toll underscores a broader point: foreign military operations must be undertaken with greater care and accountability to prevent such disasters.
