Kenya Goes After British Oil Giant Over Hundreds Of Deaths In The North

Kenya Goes After British Oil Giant Over Hundreds Of Deaths In The North

The High Court has cleared the way for a class action lawsuit against a multinational British oil company.

The ruling issued on April 16 allowed the case over alleged decades of toxic waste contamination in northern Kenya to move forward.

The lawsuit involves 299 petitioners who filed the suit in February at the Land and Environment Court in Isiolo, citing improper disposal of toxic waste from oil exploration in the 1980s.

During that period, several dry wells were drilled near Kargi and Kalacha in the Chalbi Desert, according to court documents.

The petition alleges that hazardous materials, including radium isotopes, arsenic, lead and nitrates, were dumped in unlined pits or left exposed during exploration work.

Petitioners claim that the waste poisoned drinking water, sickened residents and killed livestock in parts of the Chalbi Desert.

Reports indicate that more than 500 local residents died from cancers and other illnesses linked to contaminated water in the region.

The petition also accuses several Kenyan government ministries and agencies responsible for the environment, water, mining and health of failing to act despite evidence of pollution.

ALSO READ:

The case seeks to hold the company and the listed government bodies accountable for environmental damage and health impacts suffered by the communities over decades.

The company has not publicly responded to the allegations, and attempts to reach the company for comment were not immediately answered.

The lawsuit highlights the long-term consequences of improper handling and disposal of hazardous materials in northern Kenya, a region that relies heavily on groundwater for domestic and livestock use.

Court proceedings are scheduled to resume in May, when further hearings and evidence presentations are expected.

Kenya Goes After British Oil Giant Over Hundreds Of Deaths In The North

Tags: Turkana County