UK Agrees to Settle Fire Claims with Kenyans in Ksh500 Million Deal

By Kennedy Nalyanya

NAIROBI, KENYA – In a significant development following a four-year legal battle, the UK government has agreed to a settlement of £2.9 million (approximately $4 million or Ksh505 million) to compensate thousands of Kenyans affected by a fire ignited by the British Army. The out-of-court settlement, while resolving the long-standing dispute, is described as an "ex gratia" payment, meaning the UK has not admitted any legal liability for the incident.

The fire, which occurred in March 2021, was sparked by a British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) training exercise in the Lolldaiga Conservancy. The blaze went on to ravage an area of over 10,000 acres, with some reports citing the damage as closer to 12,000 acres, and caused extensive environmental destruction and hardship for local communities.

According to lawyers for the claimants, the settlement will be distributed among the 7,723 plaintiffs who suffered various losses due to the fire. However, the compensation is not being shared equally, a point of contention for many. Several claimants are expected to receive an amount of around Ksh22,000 (approximately $170), while others who faced more significant losses, such as property destruction or health issues, may receive higher pay-outs, with some potentially getting up to Ksh2.5 million.

The settlement agreement also includes a crucial clause that prevents the locals from pursuing any future legal claims against BATUK related to this specific fire. While the compensation provides some closure, the payment amounts have left many victims feeling that their long struggle for justice has yielded insufficient results. The British High Commission in Nairobi has expressed regret over the incident, acknowledging the frustration caused by the time it has taken to resolve the matter.

The Lolldaiga Conservancy, a 49,000-acre tract of private land, has been a training ground for British troops for years. The 2021 fire, however, brought to light long-simmering tensions and legal challenges related to the presence of British military forces in Kenya.