The UK government has agreed to compensate more than 7,700 Kenyans whose lives were upended by a massive fire caused during a British military training exercise in 2021.
The blaze tore through the Lolldaiga conservancy in Kenya’s Rift Valley, destroying thousands of acres of land, damaging property, and leaving communities struggling with health problems linked to smoke inhalation. Families also reported losing livestock and crops as wild animals stampeded during the chaos.
After years of legal battles, an out-of-court settlement has been reached. The total payout is said to be in the millions, though many victims argue that the compensation does not truly match the scale of their losses. Lawyers representing the group said it was the “best possible outcome,” noting that dragging the case on for years more would have been difficult as evidence had already been lost.
The fire is believed to have been sparked by a camp stove that toppled during the training exercise. Around 7,000 acres of private land were scorched, leaving long-lasting scars on the environment. While the British government has helped fund restoration efforts in the conservancy, the incident reignited tensions over the army’s presence in Kenya.
The Lolldaiga conservancy is part of a vast plateau that has a deep and painful history of land disputes dating back to colonial times. Today, it remains a training ground for thousands of British soldiers each year and contributes significantly to the local economy. But controversies have persisted, with past allegations of misconduct by soldiers—including violence, sexual exploitation, and fatal accidents—drawing criticism.
For many Kenyans, the settlement brings some closure but also highlights the larger, unresolved question of accountability when foreign forces leave lasting damage on local communities.