Photo/ Lawyer Kelvin Kubai and members of the Environmental lobby group African Centre for Corrective and Preventive Action (ACCPA) in Nanyuki.
The Mountain Journal
editor@themountainjournal.co.ke
Celebrations greeted villages in Umande ward, after more than 7,500 victims who inhaled the toxin smoke that billowed from the Lollodaiga Conservancy in 2021 received their compensation from the British Government.
The compensation followed a court ruling that ordered the British Government to remit the compensation after the British soldiers in training through the British Army Training Unit (Batuk) caused the fire that destroyed flora and fauna within 12,000 acres within the conservancy located within Laikipia East sub county.
In the payout the British government remitted Sh505.4 million (£2.9 million) through lawyer Kelvin Kubai who represented the victim in the civil suit heard in Nanyuki High Court.
After the fire broke out, wildlife strayed out from the Lollodaiga Hills to safety into the neighbouring villages, where they caused massive destruction to crops.
Since Wednesday, the residents in Nginyii, Mugumo, Mwereri, Muramati among other villages confirmed receiving compensation following the March 25,2021 environmental tragedy.
Mr Kubai acknowledged receipts of the money for the victims from the British government adding that the settlement of the matter was a fruit of the Kenyan constitution and strengthens Batuk and community relations.
Photo/ Lawyer Kelvin Kubai (in a suit) talking to some of the victims outside the Nanyuki law court during one of the hearing.
The kitty was distributed among the victims who received between Sh22,500 and Sh2.5 million.
The community, and an environmental lobby group African Centre for Corrective and Preventive Action (ACCPA) led by James Mwangi sued Batuk, claiming the fire emitted smoke that contained dangerous chemicals and explosives and caused adverse health effects like serious eyesight problems and miscarriages in humans and livestock.
Photo/ A photographs showing the sections of Lollodaiga Hills which were burnt in 2021.
Nahason Kana, a petitioner, says the release of the compensation followed the intensity of the matter before the environmental court.
He detailed that the smoke from a fire adversely affected locals and livestock health leading to the community incur major losses.
“ We have never seen such a heavy smoke before, which was coloured and choking and darkness witnessed during day time, “ said Kana, a resident of Muramati village.
He added that the wind blew the fire far and wide as the soldiers opted to use the helicopters to control it.
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