UK To Pay Nearly $4 Million To Kenyan Victims Of British Army Fire, But Anger Remains Over Small Payouts

 

The British government has agreed to pay almost $4 million in compensation to thousands of Kenyans affected by a massive fire started during a military training exercise in 2021.

The blaze tore through more than 10,000 acres of the Lolldaiga conservancy in central Kenya, leaving local communities with severe health problems, property damage, and long-term environmental destruction. Some residents say they even lost family members to illnesses linked to the toxic smoke.

The fire began accidentally when soldiers from the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) were conducting an exercise. Although the unit released a video at the time claiming wildlife and residents had been kept safe, campaigners say the consequences have been devastating.

Under the settlement, £2.9 million (about $3.9 million) will be shared among 7,723 claimants. However, many expressed disappointment after learning that most will receive as little as 22,000 Kenyan shillings (about $170) each.

“It’s a success story because it’s the first time we’ve ever won a case against the British Army in Kenya, but it’s so little it’s almost nothing,” said Laikipia County MP Cate Waruguru. “They feel that their sweat and struggle have not borne fruit.”

The class-action case was spearheaded by lawyer Kelvin Kubai, who argued that military training should not take place near conservation areas. While he said the payout is far below what his clients hoped for, it was chosen as the fastest way to secure some form of compensation rather than drag the case out for years in court.

The British Army pays Kenya about $400,000 annually for training rights, primarily in wildlife conservancies across Laikipia and neighboring Samburu County. BATUK has faced decades of allegations ranging from environmental damage to serious human rights abuses, which remain under parliamentary investigation in Kenya.

A spokesperson for the British High Commission in Nairobi described the fire as “extremely regrettable” and said the UK had invested significant time and resources into resolving the claims. However, no comment was made on whether any soldiers faced disciplinary action.

For many residents, the small payout has only deepened their frustration. Community members say respiratory illnesses, chest problems, and other health conditions have plagued families since the fire. Some still hope the money will allow them to move away from the affected area.

“In March 2021, this area was a furnace for seven days. Over 10,000 people were choked by toxic smoke,” said activist James Mwangi, who has been supporting the victims.

Environmental experts estimate that the Lolldaiga conservancy — home to elephants, lions, hyenas, Grevy’s zebras, and other species — may take until 2060 to fully recover from the fire’s impact.