The UK has agreed to pay 2.9 million pounds (\$4 million) to residents near a Kenyan wildlife conservancy after a 2021 wildfire. The fire erupted in March 2021 at the Lolldaiga area during a British military exercise in Laikipia, northern Kenya, officials said.
Kelvin Kubai, the plaintiffs’ lawyer, confirmed that compensation has been dispatched to over 7,000 residents for “smoke nuisance” caused by the blaze. Residents accused a British army training unit of sparking the wildfire, which destroyed significant parts of the nature reserve.
Ordnance left behind by the fire reportedly injured some locals, adding to longstanding grievances against military exercises in the area. A British soldier later appeared to claim responsibility on social media, prompting condemnation and a pledge of investigation by the Royal Military Police.
The British High Commissioner at the time described the soldier’s post as “appalling” and promised full inquiry into the incident. On Friday, a UK government spokesperson expressed regret, acknowledging the long delay in addressing the communities’ grievances over the wildfire.
“The Lolldaiga fire was extremely regrettable, and the UK recognises the frustration caused within affected communities,” the statement read. The settlement marks an effort to close a chapter of environmental destruction and community hardship while underscoring accountability for military operations abroad.
