Kenyan Residents Demand Justice and Compensation as British Army Faces Criticism for Devastating Fire

Kenya Britain Military Justice

In a significant development, a Kenyan court has ruled that the British Army must provide compensation for a massive fire that engulfed over 4,800 hectares of land during a military exercise conducted by the British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK). However, residents in central Kenya are expressing their frustration over the lack of compensation two and a half years after the incident, just days before the anticipated visit of King Charles III.

The affected residents, through their lawyer Kelvin Kubai, voiced their concerns at a press conference, calling attention to the absence of compensation for the victims. Kubai read an “open letter to the British government” on behalf of the 7,000 plaintiffs, accusing the British Army of employing tactics reminiscent of colonial times to evade responsibility for the damage caused. The victims are seeking compensation not only for the environmental destruction but also for medical issues, including breathing difficulties and permanent eyesight problems resulting from the fire.

The letter highlighted the plight of farmers who have been unable to recover their crops and livestock lost in the devastating blaze. It criticized the intergovernmental liaison committee (IGLC), responsible for managing the compensation, for demanding further evidence of the damages suffered. The victims perceive this as an insult, arguing that the British Army destroyed the Kenyan environment and is now refusing to compensate them for their losses.

Expressing their frustration, the victims’ letter underscored the need for justice and urged the British government, as well as King Charles III, to treat Kenya as an independent nation and halt the colonial-era mindset. At the conclusion of the press conference, a group of protesters briefly disrupted traffic, chanting slogans such as “we want our money” and “the British must go.”

It is worth noting that King Charles III and Queen Camilla are scheduled to visit Kenya from October 31 to November 3. This will be King Charles’s first trip to a Commonwealth country since assuming the throne last year. While the royal visit includes Nairobi and the port city of Mombasa, the town of Nanyuki, where the BATUK is located, is not on the itinerary.

The BATUK military base has long played a significant role in the local economy, but it has also been involved in several controversies in the area. One notable case is the unsolved death of Agnes Wanjiru in 2012, who was reportedly last seen with British soldiers at a hotel in Nanyuki before her body was found in a septic tank. The British government has pledged cooperation with the Kenyan investigation, although no public outcomes have been disclosed thus far.

Kelvin Kiptum, Kenya’s Rising Marathon Star Breaks World Record and Captivates the World

Kelvin Kiptum, Kenya's Rising Marathon Star Breaks World Record And Captivates The World

In 2018, when Kelvin Kiptum participated in his first major local competition, he had to rely on borrowed running shoes due to financial constraints. Fast forward to this year’s Chicago marathon, where he achieved a breathtaking world record of two hours and 35 seconds, and Kiptum was now sporting the latest Nike ‘super-shoes,’ which some credit for his remarkable feat.

Kiptum’s journey to becoming a global marathon icon is as astonishing as the strides he makes on the track. The 23-year-old, nominated for the title of Men’s World Athlete of the Year by the governing body World Athletics, shared his sentiments with BBC Sport Africa, saying, “It has been a long journey for me through my career. I have been trying so hard to pursue this dream to run a world record. It has come true, and I am really happy. My life has now changed.”

Upon his return to Kenya, Kiptum was given a hero’s welcome, marking his newfound celebrity status. Celebrations spanned two days, taking place in both the capital, Nairobi, and his hometown in the south-west of the country.

The London Marathon champion revealed that he contemplated cancelling his trip to Chicago due to health issues, including a groin injury and malaria. However, his coach, Gervais Hakizimana, a retired Rwandese runner, persuaded him to recover for a few days and continue training.

Kiptum and his coach’s relationship began in 2018, but they first crossed paths when Kiptum was a young boy. Hakizimana reminisced, “I knew him when he was a little boy, herding livestock barefooted. It was in 2009, I was training near his father’s farm, he’d come kicking at my heels, and I would chase him away. Now, I am grateful to him for his achievement.”

Despite his remarkable success, just a year ago, Kiptum had never run a marathon. He is part of a new wave of Kenyan athletes who chose to start their careers on the road, diverging from the traditional track-based approach. Kiptum attributed this decision to financial limitations, saying, “I had no money to travel to track sessions, so I started training with road-running guys – and that’s how I got into marathon.”

Hakizimana noted that Kiptum was initially hesitant about running a marathon, preferring shorter half-marathons. However, he eventually embraced the 42-kilometer distance, leading to his achievements in Valencia, London, and Chicago.

While Kenya boasts several world-class marathon runners, including the legendary Eliud Kipchoge, Kiptum’s unique racing style sets him apart. Athletics commentator Martin Keino praised Kiptum’s fearlessness and his ability to attack the second half of the marathon with unmatched determination.

 

Source: BBC

Baricho Residents in Kirinyaga County to Benefit from New Hybrid Solar and Hydropower Plant

Residents of Baricho in Kirinyaga County, Kenya, are set to enjoy a consistent and uninterrupted power supply with the unveiling of a new hybrid solar and hydropower plant. The Gitwamba power plant, announced during the Renewable Energy Forum Africa, combines both renewable energy sources to ensure a stable base load of electricity throughout the year.

The facility was designed as a hybrid plant due to the fluctuating flow rate of the nearby river, which varies between the dry and rainy seasons. During the dry season, the solar system provides additional power, while the hydropower component contributes extra capacity during the rainy season. This innovative combination guarantees reliable electricity supply day and night for customers in Kirinyaga County.

The Gitwamba hydropower plant has a total capacity of 170 kW. Its hydropower component has an installed capacity of 50 kW, with a design flow of 0.65 m3/s. The solar component, on the other hand, has an installed capacity of 150 kWp and a capacity of 120 kVA (120 kW).

Hydrobox, a company specializing in small run-of-river hydropower projects, developed the hydropower component of the plant. These projects provide eco-friendly electricity to communities and businesses in areas with limited or no access to energy. The power stations serve anchor customers such as large farms and factories, as well as small businesses, schools, hospitals, shops, restaurants, and households through a self-owned mini grid.

SolarNow, an experienced solar engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) company operating in East Africa, contributed to the project. With a focus on the commercial and industrial market, SolarNow offers solar solutions and financing options for businesses and institutions. The company has a strong presence in sectors such as education, healthcare, telecom, hospitality, manufacturing, oil and gas, real estate, and non-profit organizations.

The integration of solar and hydropower in the Gitwamba power plant showcases the potential of renewable energy sources to provide reliable electricity access to communities, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and contribute to a sustainable future.

 

Source: Capital FM Kenya