UK to Compensate Kenyans Affected by Military Training Fire

In a landmark settlement, the UK government has agreed to compensate 7,723 Kenyans whose properties were damaged and health compromised due to a fire ignited by a British military training exercise in March 2021. The fire devastated about 7,000 acres of land in the Lolldaiga conservancy, prompting claims for restitution. A spokesperson for the British High Commission in Nairobi termed the incident "extremely regrettable," highlighting the extensive efforts taken to resolve the claims. Although compensation amounts were not officially disclosed, legal representatives indicated a payout of approximately £2.9 million.

Legal representative Kevin Kubai characterized the settlement as the "best possible outcome," acknowledging challenges faced by claimants, such as inadequate medical records for health issues linked to smoke inhalation. He noted that proceeding with litigation could have resulted in a prolonged battle of nearly seven years, especially given the loss of evidence over time. The UK Ministry of Defence attributed the fire to a faulty camp stove during military exercises and confirmed that while private land was severely affected, no community land was directly impacted. Furthermore, the British government has been involved in restoring the damaged conservancy, as military training in the area continues amidst controversies surrounding soldier behavior and historical land disputes dating back to colonial times.