UK agrees to pay Kenyans affected by military fire
Summary
The UK has agreed to pay compensation to Kenyans affected by a fire caused by a British military training exercise in 2021. The settlement came after a legal battle involving thousands of claimants who experienced property loss and health issues. The UK has not disclosed the exact payout, but it reportedly totals £2.9 million.Key Facts
- The fire occurred in March 2021 during a British military training exercise in Kenya's Lolldaiga conservancy.
- 7,723 Kenyans claimed they lost property and had health problems because of the fire.
- The UK government reached an out-of-court settlement, reportedly paying £2.9 million.
- A stove knocked over during the exercise likely caused the fire, damaging around 7,000 acres of private land.
- There were claims of environmental damage and property destruction due to stampeding animals.
- The British government helped restore the burnt area of the conservancy.
- The British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) conducts regular exercises in the region, contributing significantly to the Kenyan economy but has faced criticism for the conduct of some soldiers.
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