UK Military Agrees to Compensate Kenyans for Fire Damage

Settlement marks a significant step for affected communities in the Lolldaiga conservancy and highlights ongoing environmental and historical tensions.

The UK government has announced a compensation agreement for Kenyans impacted by a fire ignited during a British military exercise in March 2021. This settlement comes after an arduous legal dispute involving 7,723 claimants who reported loss of property and adverse health effects from the fire that devastated nearly a quarter of the Lolldaiga conservancy, located in Kenya’s Rift Valley.

A representative from the British High Commission in Nairobi expressed regret for the incident, noting that the UK had invested substantial resources to resolve the claims. Although the exact compensation amount remains unverified, reports suggest it could total £2.9 million, as stated by a lawyer participating in the case.

Kevin Kubai, the attorney for the claimants, described the settlement as the "best possible outcome," despite his clients expressing dissatisfaction over the inadequate compensation. Continuation of litigation, potentially stretching for another seven years, was deemed unfeasible due to the loss of critical evidence over time.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed in 2022 that the fire likely stemmed from a camp stove accident linked to the military exercise, which resulted in the destruction of approximately 7,000 acres of private land, although no community land was directly impacted. The lawsuit highlighted environmental degradation in surrounding areas, alongside property loss stemming from wild animals fleeing the blaze.

The British government has engaged in environmental restoration efforts for the scorched region, while military operations continue in the conservancy. The Lolldaiga conservancy, encompassing about 49,000 acres of mountainous terrain, remains a site of historical contention, given the colonial expropriation of land that fuels ongoing disputes.

Located a mere 70 kilometers from the Lewa conservancy—famous for hosting royal proposals—the area houses the newly renovated Nyati Barracks, a facility valued at £70 million. This structure serves thousands of British troops annually for extensive training exercises in Lolldaiga, renowned for its challenging environmental conditions.

Despite contributing significantly to the Kenyan economy, the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) has been mired in controversy over reported misconduct by soldiers, including allegations of hit-and-run incidents, murder, and exploitation linked to local women.