UK Government Agrees $3.9 Million Settlement Over Deadly Fire Caused by Military Training in Kenya, But Victims Protest Low Compensation Amount
The United Kingdom government has reached a settlement of approximately $3.9 million with over 7,700 Kenyan victims who suffered health issues, property damage, and environmental pollution due to a fire incident in Kenya’s Lolldaiga conservancy in 2021. The blaze, which burned through more than 10,000 acres, was allegedly caused accidentally during a British military training exercise.
The settlement, valued at £2.9 million, follows a protracted legal battle led by local community members. They contend that the fire’s aftermath has caused them long-term health problems, destroyed their properties, and polluted their environment. Some victims have reported losing family members due to illnesses linked to the fire.
The British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) initially claimed that the community and wildlife were kept safe during the incident, as depicted in a video they posted at the time battling the blaze. However, the settlement agreement obtained by CNN stipulates that the UK government will not admit liability for the fire.
While the settlement is substantial, many beneficiaries are disappointed with receiving only 22,000 Kenyan shillings ($170) each, prompting plans for protests. Laikipia County MP Cate Waruguru lamented that the payout is “almost nothing” given the four-year legal struggle and the hardship endured by the affected community.
Kelvin Kubai, a 27-year-old lawyer who initiated the class-action lawsuit, expressed hopes for a larger compensation. He advocates for separating military training from conservation activities to ensure the safety and wellbeing of local communities. The “ex gratia” payout was reportedly pursued as a quicker means to compensate the affected community, rather than prolonging legal proceedings that could have taken years.
The British army pays Kenya an estimated $400,000 annually for BATUK’s training in the country. Troops primarily operate within large wildlife conservancies in Laikipia and neighboring Samburu County. However, allegations of human rights abuses, including rape and murder, have persisted against BATUK, leading to an ongoing Kenyan parliamentary investigation.
The British High Commission in Nairobi stated that it was “pleased that a global settlement has been agreed with the claimants’ appointed legal representatives.” They characterized the fire as “extremely regrettable” but declined to comment on any disciplinary action taken against officers involved.
Community members have previously protested against BATUK and the British government due to concerns over safety and environmental damage. In June 2021, a group of residents outside the Lolldaiga conservancy expressed hope for substantial compensation to relocate from the area. A woman with breathing difficulties explained her need for medication and frequent hospital visits following the fire. Hannah Wanjiku spoke of her grandchildren’s illnesses and her own chest problems due to British troops training near her home, expressing a desire to leave if compensated.
Activist James Mwangi convened a community meeting in June 2024, where he emphasized the prolonged impact of the fire on the area’s environment. A report by consultancy firm Howard Humphreys estimated that it would take until at least 2060 for the land to fully recover from the effects of the fire. Previously a private livestock ranch, Lolldaiga became a conservancy in 2021 and is home to endangered species such as Grevy’s zebra, elephants, buffaloes, lions, hyenas, jackals, vervet monkeys, and baboons.