UK Agrees to Compensate Kenyans Affected by Military Fire Incident
The UK government has reached a settlement with Kenyans impacted by a military training fire, compensating over 7,700 claimants.
In a significant resolution, the British government has committed to compensating thousands of Kenyans affected by a disastrous fire during a military training exercise in March 2021. Following a protracted legal dispute, the settlement addresses the grievances of 7,723 claimants who reported property damage and health issues linked to the fire at the Lolldaiga conservancy in Kenya's Rift Valley. A spokesperson from the British High Commission in Nairobi expressed regret over the incident and highlighted the UK’s substantial efforts to resolve the claims. While the exact compensation amount has not been confirmed, it has been reported to be around £2.9 million. Kevin Kubai, representing the claimants, described the outcome as the best possible solution but noted that many clients felt the compensation was insufficient for their losses. He also pointed out challenges in substantiating health claims due to a lack of medical records and the multifaceted nature of smoke exposure. The UK Ministry of Defence previously indicated that the fire was likely caused by an overturned camp stove during the military exercises, resulting in damage to approximately 7,000 acres of private land. Although the British government has assisted in restoring the burned area, military exercises continue in the conservancy. The Lolldaiga conservancy, a scenic area encompassing 49,000 acres, has a complex history tied to British colonial land seizures, which still spark disputes today. The British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK), which conducts large-scale exercises there, significantly contributes to the local economy, despite facing controversy regarding the conduct of some soldiers in Kenya.
The UK government has reached a settlement with Kenyans impacted by a military training fire, compensating over 7,700 claimants.
In a significant resolution, the British government has committed to compensating thousands of Kenyans affected by a disastrous fire during a military training exercise in March 2021. Following a protracted legal dispute, the settlement addresses the grievances of 7,723 claimants who reported property damage and health issues linked to the fire at the Lolldaiga conservancy in Kenya's Rift Valley. A spokesperson from the British High Commission in Nairobi expressed regret over the incident and highlighted the UK’s substantial efforts to resolve the claims. While the exact compensation amount has not been confirmed, it has been reported to be around £2.9 million. Kevin Kubai, representing the claimants, described the outcome as the best possible solution but noted that many clients felt the compensation was insufficient for their losses. He also pointed out challenges in substantiating health claims due to a lack of medical records and the multifaceted nature of smoke exposure. The UK Ministry of Defence previously indicated that the fire was likely caused by an overturned camp stove during the military exercises, resulting in damage to approximately 7,000 acres of private land. Although the British government has assisted in restoring the burned area, military exercises continue in the conservancy. The Lolldaiga conservancy, a scenic area encompassing 49,000 acres, has a complex history tied to British colonial land seizures, which still spark disputes today. The British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK), which conducts large-scale exercises there, significantly contributes to the local economy, despite facing controversy regarding the conduct of some soldiers in Kenya.
