NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) – For the first time, the UK government has agreed to pay Kenyans millions of pounds to settle civil lawsuits after the military has lifted its legal immunity.
The £2.9 million ($3.9 million) payment to resolve damages for a wildfire accidentally launched by British soldiers in Kenya in 2021 follows a landmark ruling that the British government and British troops have been exempt from Kenya’s civil lawsuit.
It opens a new chapter on accountability for foreign military actions against Kenya soil, and the country’s British military deployment faces A A series of controversies On the implementation of staff in both Kenya and the UK courts.
The damage will take decades to recover
Over 7,700 Kenyans and Environmental Lobby Group submitted class action suits to the Environment and Land Court in Kenya, accusing the British Army Training Force of destroying more than 12,000 acres of Loldaiga Hills in central Kenya in 2021.
The British government has admitted that the fire was accidentally launched by a soldier’s kerosene stove. The flame took almost two weeks to leave, causing the deaths of one person and an unspecified animal.
Locals said the toxic smoke from the fire caused health problems, including respiratory complications and vision damage.
An environmental assessment presented before the court showed that the fire caused massive damage that took 30 to 50 years to tackle.
The British government had allegedly exempt from trial in Kenya’s courts, but it was discarded in a landmark ruling by High Court Judge Cossy Ball.
It was the first time a Kenyan court could test civil claims against the British military.
Kelvin Kubai, a legal representative for the Lolldaiga community, praised the settlement, saying it would set precedents for future claims and redefine the host country’s diplomatic and military accountability.
However, many expressed strong disappointment at the compensation amount. Some residents say the payment is just £129, but the payment is much lower for £575 million demand.
“My home is closest to Loldaiga Hills, so I suffered a lot of damage from the fire smoke. I also helped put out the fire,” said local resident Charles Ndung. “It’s shocking to learn that people are receiving just 22,500 Kenyan Shillings (129 pounds).
Some had planned protests to update their calls for transparency and justice.
“They will meet soon,” John Kiunjuri, an official from the Loldaiga community who sued the British forces, told The Associated Press.
Prohibition of sexual conduct
Meanwhile, the British are working on the recent revelation that some soldiers continue to violate the prohibition of sexual activity by engaging in trade sex despite regulations.
A report released earlier this month by the UK Ministry of Defense shows that despite enacting a ban on dealability, British soldiers stationed in central Kenya continue to fuel illegal prostitution in Kenya.
British authorities have launched an investigation after a 2024 investigation documentary by British outlet ITV revealed that soldiers stationed in the Army still fueled prostitution despite banning Army restrictions.
The investigation concluded that “despite continuing sexual activity in dealings by British officials in Kenya despite the training and control measures provided by the Army.”
The soldier claimed that he gave birth to a child during the deployment.
The report came after another ruling by the British High Court mandated contact details for 11 British soldiers allegedly had. Father’s children A wave of paternity cases, citizenship claims and compensation could potentially be triggered alongside Kenyan women during the unfolding.
Despite enjoying mutual military partnerships, the century military agreement between Kenya and Britain is monitored for alleged misconduct by the country, former colonial rulers and British soldiers. The demand for review of military agreements between the two countries is becoming even greater.
Kenya and the UK signed a defence cooperation agreement in 2015. Kenya holds jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases involving British troops in Kenya soil. The contract is renewable every five years and was last renewed in 2021. The agreement allows approximately 3,000 British soldiers to train in Kenya every year.
