The British Government has agreed to release compensation worth approximately Ksh517.2 million ($4 million) to thousands of Kenyans who were affected by a destructive fire in 2021 linked to the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK).
The fire, which broke out in March 2021 during a military training exercise, spread quickly through the Loldaiga Hills Conservancy in central Kenya.
It burned more than 10,000 acres of protected forest and grassland, destroying wildlife habitats and exposing nearby communities to dangerous toxic smoke for days.
According to residents, the blaze created a health and environmental crisis. Many families reported suffering from respiratory illnesses, eye complications, and other long-term health issues caused by inhaling the thick smoke.
Speaking to CNN journalist Larry Madowo, local activist James Mwangi described the devastation the community endured.
“In March 2021, this area turned into a furnace. For over a week, more than 10,000 people were suffocated by poisonous smoke. Almost everyone here now struggles with chest problems,” Mwangi said.
Several villagers confirmed that their lives have never returned to normal since the incident. Many rely on inhalers to breathe properly, while others complain of permanent vision problems.
“This is now our reality,” one woman explained as she held up her inhaler. “My grandchildren are constantly unwell. Even I cannot read anymore because of eye damage, and my chest condition has worsened. We are living a very hard life,” another resident added.
After years of pushing for justice, the British Government has now agreed to pay out compensation to 7,723 affected locals, according to documents cited in CNN’s exclusive report. The settlement comes following a class action lawsuit filed by a lawyer who grew up in the region and decided to represent the victims.
However, while the community has welcomed the compensation, many feel the money is still far below what they truly deserve for the suffering they continue to endure.
“My clients expected a much higher settlement. This amount cannot give them the financial support needed to rebuild their lives or to escape the risks posed by continued military training in this area,” the lawyer representing the residents said.
The settlement agreement also revealed that, although the British Government has agreed to pay, locals have been barred from filing any further legal claims related to the 2021 fire. This condition has raised fresh concerns among residents who worry that future damages might go uncompensated.
The controversy also comes at a time when questions are being raised about the broader presence of the British Army in Kenya.
The country currently receives around Ksh52 million ($400,000) each year for allowing British troops to conduct training exercises in Laikipia and surrounding regions. Critics argue that the payments to Kenya are too little compared to the environmental destruction and risks faced by local communities.
For many families in Loldaiga, the compensation is a bittersweet victory. While the payout offers some recognition of the pain they have endured, the community remains concerned about long-term health challenges, loss of livelihood, and whether foreign military training in the region continues to put their lives in danger.
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