The UK government has reached an agreement to compensate over 7,700 Kenyans impacted by a fire ignited during a British military training exercise nearly four years ago. This out-of-court settlement emerged after protracted legal disputes concerning property damage and health complications caused by the fire that ravaged the Lolldaiga conservancy in Kenya's Rift Valley.
A representative from the British High Commission in Nairobi expressed regret over the incident, emphasizing the UK’s commitment to resolving the claims. Although the government has not publicized the compensation figure, reports suggest that the payout amounts to approximately £2.9 million. Kevin Kubai, representing the claimants, described the settlement as the "best possible outcome," albeit noting that many clients felt their compensation was inadequate relative to the extent of their losses.
According to Mr. Kubai, pursuing individual litigation could have prolonged the legal process for nearly another seven years and posed challenges due to the loss of critical evidence over time. He acknowledged the difficulties in substantiating health impacts from smoke inhalation, as many affected lacked formal medical documentation.
In 2022, the UK Ministry of Defence attributed the fire to a camp stove that was accidentally knocked over during training activities in the conservancy, reporting that around 7,000 acres of private land were damaged. However, it contended that community land was not directly affected. The legal claims highlighted environmental degradation and property destruction due to wildlife stampedes triggered by the fire.
Despite this incident, the British government has actively participated in restoration efforts for the scorched areas, and military training in the region continues. The Lolldaiga conservancy encompasses approximately 49,000 acres of picturesque terrain against the scenic backdrop of Mount Kenya, an area historically significant due to land seizures during colonial times that have resulted in ongoing disputes.
Located just 70 kilometers from the Lewa conservancy—where a well-known royal engagement took place—the conservancy is also in proximity to the newly renovated Nyati Barracks, a £70 million infrastructure project supporting the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK). This unit brings considerable economic benefits to Kenya annually. However, it has also faced scrutiny over alleged misconduct by some soldiers, including serious accusations of fatal incidents and exploitation.
