Central Kenya residents are voicing their frustration over the lack of compensation for the catastrophic fire that ravaged their land during a British military exercise in 2021, just days before a visit by King Charles III. Despite a Kenyan court’s ruling that ordered the British Army to provide compensation, over two years have passed, and the affected individuals are still awaiting redress.
The devastating fire, which occurred during a military exercise by the British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK), consumed more than 12,000 acres of land near the town of Nanyuki, approximately 120 miles north of Nairobi.
The affected residents are seeking compensation for a range of issues, including environmental damage and health problems resulting from the fire, such as respiratory difficulties and vision impairment. Many farmers have struggled to recover lost crops and livestock due to the extensive damage caused by the fire.
The compensation process is overseen by an intergovernmental liaison committee (IGLC) comprising representatives from both Kenya and the UK. However, the affected residents contend that the IGLC has been requesting additional proof of the damage caused by the fire, which they find insulting. They accuse the British Army of evading responsibility for the environmental devastation in Kenya.
In a press conference, residents and plaintiffs presented an open letter to the British government, signed by 7,000 individuals. The letter implored the British government and King Charles III to cease treating Kenya as a colonial outpost and fulfill the required compensation. Some protesters chanted slogans demanding their compensation and calling for the departure of the British Army.
Notably, King Charles III is scheduled to visit Kenya at the end of October, though not to the town of Nanyuki where BATUK is located. The British army base has been a significant part of the local economy but has also faced controversies in the past, including the unresolved 2012 case of Agnes Wanjiru, a 21-year-old found dead in a septic tank after purportedly socializing with British soldiers at a hotel in Nanyuki.
The residents’ quest for compensation remains a contentious issue, particularly in light of the upcoming royal visit to Kenya, underscoring the urgency of addressing their grievances and ensuring justice is served.
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