British military training in Kenya turns into tragedy
During British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) training in the town of Nanyuki, a fire broke out at the Lolldaiga Private Game Reserve in March 2021. This fire devastated nearly 4,800 hectares of land, causing significant damage to pastoral and agricultural communities living nearby.
Saituk Kaituto Kaparo, a Maasai herder living near the Lolldaiga reserve, was directly affected by the fire. Of his 200 cows, only 4 remain. He remembers the British soldiers training on the nearby hills, equipped with all the equipment necessary to fight the fire, while he and other members of his community worked with limited resources, using branches to try to put out the flames. Unfortunately, they were unable to control the fire and had to flee for their lives.
This fire had a considerable impact on the lives of local communities. In addition to losing their livestock, which is their main source of livelihood, many farmers have also lost their crops. The economic and social consequences are serious for these already vulnerable populations.
Faced with this situation, the victims and their families decided to request compensation from the British authorities. Nearly 7,000 plaintiffs are seeking compensation to cover medical costs, loss of livestock and crops. However, the mediation process has stalled and victims are increasingly frustrated by the attitude of the British authorities.
Kelvin Kubai, a Kenyan lawyer who represents the victims of the fire free of charge, denounces the behavior of the British soldiers. According to him, they arrive in Kenya with racist prejudices and a superiority complex, not considering the locals as their equals. This behavior is also noticeable in their behavior outside of training, where they are often involved in fights without really being held accountable for their actions.
Victims of the fire also expressed their dissatisfaction in an open letter addressed to the British government and King Charles III. They denounce the treatment of Kenya as a colonial outpost and demand that justice be done.
The British government, for its part, maintains that only land in the Lolldaiga private reserve was affected by the fire and that a study funded by the British government concluded that there was no significant impact permanent on land, water or air.
This case raises many questions about the responsibility of foreign nations intervening on the territory of other countries. Local communities are demanding security guarantees and adequate protection measures during foreign military training in order to avoid new tragedies like that of Lolldaiga. It is essential to balance national security interests with respect for the rights and dignity of local communities.